This column serves as a spotlight, highlighting the everyday people who work and live in Callaway County. The Fulton Sun takes a moment with someone who is not usually featured in the news but is just as instrumental in making our community the strong and beautiful place we all know and love.
New Bloomfield residents Kevin and Cailey Jones were out enjoying a day at the splash pad with daughters Kynedi, 6, and Keagan, 2, in Memorial Park on Monday. The family has lived in New Bloomfield for three years - Kevin is from Holts Summit originally, while Cailey moved from West Virginia to Missouri when she was growing up.
Q: What was your first job?
Kevin: I was a mechanic.
Cailey: I worked at El Espolon in Jeff City.
(Now, Cailey is a stay-at-home mom and Kevin works in car sales.)
Q: Who is someone who inspires you?
Kevin: Probably my dad (Dewey Jones). He's just a real humble guy.
Cailey: He's a hard worker.
Kevin: He's a hard worker and takes care of my mom. He's taking very good care of her and he's just a real big family guy. He takes care of the family.
Cailey: Can I say his dad too? I love his dad. Because he's a hard worker. He'll give you the shirt off his back. Family is always first in his eyes.
Q: What have you done in life that was most fulfilling?
Cailey: My children.
Kevin: The children.
Q: What is something you are proud of?
Kevin: Our girls. They make us proud.
Q: What profession would you like to attempt?
Cailey: Mine would be like a farmer - a homesteader.
Kevin: That's what we're trying to do now. We've got our chickens and cats and garden I would want to do either that or have my own used car lot and manage my own business. That's always been something I've wanted to do.
Q: What profession would you not like to do?
Kevin: Fast food. I couldn't do that. I did it when I was younger and that wasn't the thing for me.
Cailey: I would never want to be a nurse, probably. For one, they work too much. And, right now, during COVID and all that stuff, I wouldn't want to bring it home.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Callaway County?
Kevin: I like how we're pretty much just a big community. I feel like it's a pretty safe place to raise kids. Everybody looks out for each other for the most part, especially where we're at.
Cailey: It's those small-town vibes, especially in New Bloomfield. That's what we like.
Kevin: I like coming to Fulton, because Jeff City is just too many people. That's why we like coming up here a lot. I work in Jeff City, but we like coming here for the stores and everything.