For many years, Richard Tinsley played an instrumental role in the Jonesburg Homecoming with his numerous rides he brought to the event.

This year, the Jonesburg Lions Club decided to honor the late amusement park owner by planting a tree in his name next to the pavilion at Lions Park. On June 15 – which was the final day of the three-day Jonesburg Homecoming – numerous members from the Lions Club posed with a picture next to the tree, just minutes after the Jonesburg Homecoming Queen and Princess contest came to an end. A total of 25 people participated in the photo.

There is a plaque next to the tree and it read, “In Memory of Richard Tinsley, Provided Great Amusement And Happiness To Everyone Around.”

“The Lions Club voted to have a tree planted in his honor with that plaque because of the many years he gave us the really nice rides and his dedication,” said Jerry Schwartz, chairman of the Jonesburg Homecoming. “He would always come to our parades and things. That’s why they wanted to do it.”

Schwartz said the Lions Club started planning on having a dedication tree last year. It was planted earlier this summer.

“We asked the local tree farm if you can plant a tree for us,” Schwartz said. “That’s how they planted a tree and put the monument there next to it.”

Tinsley passed away on Oct. 25, 2022 at age 86. Two years before, he opened Play Day Farm in High Hill. He worked in the carnival business for over 50 years, providing carnivals for several county and state fairs throughout the Midwest.

Tinsley lived in the St. Louis area for many years before moving to High Hill in 1968. He later started his carnival business, which operated carnivals and fairs at six states across the country – Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Mississippi, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

“He was a well-respected carnival person, statewide and nationwide,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz knew Tinsley for over 30 years. Shortly after he became the Jonesburg Homecoming chairman in 1979, Schwartz got Tinsley to start providing rides for the fair.

“If you came to him and said we’re doing this, he would support it,” Schwartz said. “He’s been in our community for many, many years.”