Donald L. Jones
POLSON — Donald L. Jones, 77, died Feb. 18, 2005, from complications of emphysema and influenza Type A.
He was born Nov. 19, 1927, in St. Ignatius, the 11th child born to Mary Ann (Ramsey) Jones and John E. Jones. He lived in the Charlo area until 1936 when the family moved to Ronan.
He graduated from Ronan High School in 1946, While in high school he played basketball and football.
In March 1946 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and spent two years in the Philippine Islands.
In 1948 he went to work for the Bureau of Indian Affairs where he remained employed until 1969 when he and his family moved to St. Ignatius to operate Dubay's Ranch Market.
In September 1950 he married Kathleen Dubay. From this union, two sons were born: Aaron Lewis and Jerry Michael. In 1988 they bought Doug Allard's little store in Ronan and expanded it into Midnight Market and the Sinclair gas station and ran it until they sold it to Binky Hall in the latter 1990s.
After his wife died in 1999, Don moved to Ronan and lived on the ranch with his son and wife.
Preceding him in death were both parents; his wife Kathleen and son Jerry, his father and mother-in-law (Clem and Ed Dubay); five brothers, Willard, Arthur, Dell, Errol and Vern; and three sisters, Neva Newgard, Marvis Evans and Wilma Dunn.
Surviving area his son Aaron (Linda) Jones of Ronan; two grandsons, Jason Allen of Philadelphia, and Marques Lewis, currently serving in Kirkuk, Iraq; his granddaughter, DeLacey Gilmore and husband Joseph of Kalispell; a brother, Lawrence of California; a sister, Cecil of Walport, Ore.; two sisters-in-law, Donna (Bill) Jones of Pablo, and Anita Swope of Big Arm;
He has many nieces and nephews: Kathleen (Ron) Gipe of Lakeside, Mike Newgard of Great Falls, Arlene (Kevin) Templer and Ann (Dan) Krahn, both of Ronan; Terry (Debbie) Skellenger, Archie (Ginny) Fuqua of Polson; Alan Fuqua of Missoula and Jay (Shirley) Skellenger of Hot Springs; Harold Vreeland of Gastin, Ore., Bob Vreeland of Port Angeles, Wash.; Jerald (Donna) Vreeland of Olla, Wash.; and many cousins and friends around the Ronan, Charlo and Polson areas.
Funeral services will be today (Thursday, Feb. 24) at 10:30 a.m. in the First Baptist Church of Ronan.
Interment with military honors will follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Polson.
Following the graveside services, a reception will be held at the First Baptist Church in Ronan.
Memorial contributions may be made in Don's name to the First Baptist Church of Ronan where he was an active member. The family thanked all the staff of St. Luke Hospital, Ronan, for their care and kindness. Dad really appreciated it. The staff in St. Patrick Hospital, Missoula, was also very caring and courteous in a tough time.
Arrangements are by Grogan Funeral Home, Polson.