Bayard Jones

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Bayard Taylor Jones announce his sudden passing on May 3rd, 2024.  Bayard passed early in the morning at his home he shared with the love of his life in Waterford, Wisconsin.  He was born March 8th, 1950 and will forever be 74 years young. To know him was to love him.

Bayard is survived by his one true love, Patricia Wells, his children: Lynsey, Grant, and Ashley, and his grandchildren: Nevaeh, Aliviah, Journee, Jase, Ja’Vaheia, and Javelle. Proceeded in death by his father Robert Paul Jones, mother Barbara Wrenn Jones, and his beloved sister Leslie Ann Raymond.

As a brother, son, father, uncle, papa bear, friend, cat-dad, musician, avid golfer, and fisherman, there is so much that can be shared about Bayard. He had a love of all animals from a young age, starting with a gigantic white leashed rabbit and continued with saving the squirrels and setting the mice free that he had trapped in the basement.  Bayard found serenity behind a set of drums (or anything he could tap on, really). He attended Deerfield High School and went on to receive his Masters Degree in Business from Depaul University.  While studying Bayard also maintained a double life as a percussionist for The Bryds and also played for The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band or (WCPAEB), which sometime collaborated with Frank Zappa. While performing came to an end the music remained a constant in his life. When performing ended, fatherhood began. Bayard has three children: Lynsey, Grant, and Ashley, who he shared with his ex-wife Kathleen A Jones. Some of the best memories having Bayard as a father were sharing silence over music, on a river bend, on the golf course as the first bird sings, and listening to him drum his heart out. Fatherhood turned into grandfatherhood and then Papa Bear never smiled bigger. He loved his six grandchildren and was always excited to make them laugh, show off his accomplishments, and expose them to drums practically from birth. He watched his grandchildren grow up and never failed to show up and show his pride for them and all their hard work. The last and probably best six years of Bayard's life had been spent in adoration of Patricia Wells. At the movies, dinner dates, fishing trips, and family events.  These soulmates were inseparable and very happy.

Having all he could ever need, in lieu of donations or flowers, please crank the volume on the radio a little louder and beat on your steering wheel to a song that fondly reminds you of times spent with Bayard and all his glory. The man, the myth, and the legend he will be forever missed… especially his endless witty dad jokes!!

A Celebration of Life will take place on July 7, 2024 at the Burlington Tap & Smokehouse in Burlington, WI.  More details to follow.