Home is where the heart is, and for Kerry and Linda Jones their hearts are in Excelsior Springs. Around 2013, the Joneses lived in the San Francisco Bay area when they came to Excelsior Springs to help care for Linda’s ailing father. Although they had been to Excelsior Springs many times to visit they had never considered the possibility of moving here. Kerry says that at first, he and Linda were both adamant that they would be moving back to California as soon as they could. “One night we were sitting around and I said, ‘I really kind of like it here,’ and there was this huge sigh of relief from Linda because she felt the same way but neither one of us had been able to say it,” Kerry said. They made the decision to keep only their most sentimental items and started anew in Excelsior Springs.
The couple said the people of Excelsior Springs are what made the difference in their decision. “We met so many wonderful people who were so active, involved, who loved the downtown area,” said Linda. “We both have a love for the arts and the number of artists really appealed to us, as well as the music,” added Kerry. They said living in the Bay area there were millions of people and they’d gotten used to the pressure, but being here they were able to connect to the community and felt a sense of belonging almost immediately. Bohemian Sage Gallery, Molly Roberts Studio, Ellen Schottger’s Artisan on Thompson, and Main Springs Arts have been amongst their favorite places. “Kerry even had a space in the Main Spring Arts gallery named after him because he was such a supporter of theirs,” said Linda.
The couple both enjoy exploring the area and Kerry, who has a keen eye for photography, documents their adventures. They said they love to just take off for a drive in the countryside, taking unknown roads to see where they lead. Both Kerry and Linda agreed that it seems sometimes as though people who grew up in Excelsior Springs have a negative outlook on the city. They both hope people can begin to look beyond the negative aspects of the past and find ways to engage in the community that helps move us all forward. “We have a great community here, and I hope people will continue to get out and visit the local merchants and support one another, that’s what it’s all about,” concluded Linda.
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I’ve known Kerry and Linda for a few years and know what a lucky town we have, for them to be a part of our great community.
I am Kerry’s brother and live in Sacramento, Ca. Our other siblings also live in California and we all miss both Kerry and Linda immensely. Our occasional visits with them are times to be cherished. We all stay in contact with each other and have always been close, even when we are not close geographically.
Before Kerry and Linda’s move to Missouri, we had all been city dwellers for all of our adult lives but as kids we were born and raised in small town America and I can understand the appeal of living in a small tight knitted community such as Excelsior Springs. I want to extend my thanks to all of you that know them for your friendships and support. It means a lot to know that they are among good people.