Published June 15, 2026
By David Phillips
A living memorial is often a tree or garden, but the family of the late Bobby Jones is, in some ways, creating a different type of living memorial, one that encourages people to run and jump all over a plot of land that has two poles planted in a bed of sand.
“Our goal is to fully refresh and improve the area so it becomes something the entire community can be proud of; a place for kids, teens, families and adults to gather, stay active and enjoy some time together,” Brianna Losey, daughter of Jones, told Kiwanis during a presentation to the Spring Valley club at the end of May.
The courts are functional but outdated and underused, she said. “The poles were literally being held up by a ratchet strap, and the existing white pole was found to be completely rotted at the bottom,” she explained.
The family, in conjunction with Spring Valley Parks and Recreation, plans to add new sand, properly space the courts, install new light poles with updated light fixtures for better visibility and safety, upgrade the pads on the poles to increase safety, add fencing along the backside of the courts, and install aluminum bleachers for spectators and families.
Although cleaning up and modernizing the facility is important to Losey, who also plays volleyball, one of the most meaningful aspects of the project is dedicating the courts to her father. They will be named the Bobby Jones Memorial Volleyball Courts.
“He truly loved volleyball, especially sand volleyball, and we still have medals and trophies from tournaments he played in, including one from the ‘90s Ag Days sand volleyball tournament,” said Losey. “After my dad passed, our family wanted to donate the memorial money towards something meaningful that could also give back to the community. This project just felt right.”
The effort involves more than just physical improvements. Youth sand volleyball has already been added to the Spring Valley Parks and Rec program for this summer, a way to encourage future growth in the sport. Losey is a member of the nine-person Parks and Rec Committee, which was created last November to assist the city in expanding recreation opportunities.
The courts are used by adults all summer long with a Thursday night league that had six teams last summer and a big tournament during Ag Days in August that draws teams from out of town along with the local teams.
Renovating the courts involves some costly items, but the family has been quite successful raising funds. The funding was initiated with the funeral money, which paid for things such as the standards and lines, said Losey. Bobby’s wife, Lori, has donated a substantial amount, she added. Spring Valley Public Utilities has also donated some labor and Todd Jones, brother to Bobby, has donated some materials.
There have also been some successful fundraisers, such as a rubber duck race held on
May 29 that brought in close to $1,500. The ducks were released into the Spring Valley Creek between Broadway Avenue and Main Street with the finish line at the bridge next to S & S Bait Shop, owned by Steve Volkart, who helped with the duck race. Tallie Bernard, another member of the Parks and Rec Committee, also helped with this project as well as the presentation to Kiwanis.
“We’ve already put a lot of time and effort into fundraising and planning, and the community support so far has been incredible,” said Losey. “We’re asking for support because we believe this project can become something really special, not just volleyball courts, but a space that brings people together.”
Work is still underway on the project, although Losey hoped that enough work has been done so they are playable for the leagues and the summer recreation program, which began this week. The family wanted to make sure it is a quality project with, for example, good filtration so the sand doesn’t turn to concrete when it rains as it did in the past, explained Losey. The look of the courts is also important, she added, since they are one of the first things people see when they are driving on Highway 63. “We want it to look welcoming and well-cared for,” she said.
The final touch will be placing a memorial sign by the courts, “a lasting way to honor my Dad’s memory while creating something positive for the future generations to enjoy,” said Losey.
In other words, a living memorial that will serve a useful purpose for the community for decades.
