James Richard Jones, 73, Beloved 'Santa J.R.' in Mountain Home, Passes Away

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James Richard Jones, known as 'Dick', 'J.R.', and 'Santa J.R.' to his family and community in Mountain Home, Arkansas, passed away at the age of 73 on January 30, 2026. J.R. was a longtime engineer who worked on projects across the country and abroad, but his greatest passion was serving as Santa Claus for the Mountain Home community, a role he embraced until his final Christmas parade in 2025.

Why it matters

J.R.'s passing marks the end of an era for the Mountain Home community, which has relied on his annual Christmas appearances as Santa for decades. As a beloved figure, his death highlights the importance of community leaders and volunteers who dedicate themselves to bringing joy to others, especially during the holiday season.

The details

J.R. is survived by his three daughters, seven grandchildren, siblings, life partner Lynette McAliney, and bonus children and grandchildren. He grew up in Orangeburg, South Carolina, served in the Marine Corps, and built a successful engineering career before retiring to Mountain Home. In addition to his work as Santa, J.R. found joy in activities like Fox News, photography, fishing, NASCAR, and baseball.

• J.R. passed away on January 30, 2026.
• He completed his final role as Santa Claus in the Mountain Home Christmas Parade on December 5, 2025.
• A memorial service will be held at the Mountain Home First Assembly of God Church on March 1, 2026.

What’s next

J.R. will be laid to rest in his family cemetery in Salley, South Carolina, on February 21, 2026.