Polson mourns loss of Jones

By Andrew Fish / Leader Staff

Polson is mourning the loss of a beloved city councilman, fire fighter and citizen.

Known by friends as Tom, Thomas Jones, 52, died of natural causes at his home in Polson on Sept. 1, 2008. For the past four years he has worked at Grogan Funeral Home in Polson. Previously he managed the Pondera bar and restaurant, a family owned business in Polson. After the Pondera, he managed several casinos for Town Pump.

Ron Grogan, owner of Grogan Funeral Home, said that Jones had long wanted to be a funeral director, but only made the career change recently. Jones worked at the funeral home while he went to school part time to receive his degree in mortuary science, receiving his funeral director's license in April of 2008. "Tom had a calling for the profession," said Grogan. "He had a real tender way about him, and he was a real great listener. He was a natural funeral director."

In addition to working as a funeral director, he was also a volunteer firefighter with the Polson fire department. John Fairchild, chief of the Polson fire department, said the loss of Jones hit him like a ton of bricks. "Tom was a great guy and he was all about helping his community," said Fairchild. "He did everything that was ever asked of him."

Polson Police Chief Doug Chase agreed, saying that Jones was very low key and driven by an interest in serving his community. He remarked that Jones' service was one of the largest he has seen in his seven years with the Polson PD. "He was caring, compassionate and concerned," said Chase. "It was one of the largest services I've seen and it sent a powerful message about how he lived his life."

Mayor Lou Marchello worked with Jones on the Polson City Council. Marchello said that in addition to being involved in the community, Jones always made an effort to be informed on issues that came before him. "He came early, studied everything before him, he always put everything in perspective," said Marchello. "It was a tremendous loss and he cared so much about the community."

Mike Lies, currently the interim city manager for Polson and a council member with Jones, was also his neighbor for about 17 years. Lies said he was a wonderful neighbor and they spent a lot time talking over a non-existent back fence. Lies said that Jones did so many great things that it was hard to recall specific instances. "He was always looking for the betterment of Polson and how he could help other people," said Lies. "He will be missed to the n-th degree."

Grogan said Jones had worked the entire weekend prior to his death and the last time he spoke to Grogan, Jones had expressed that he was happy because he had been able to help several families. Grogan said that because of the industry they work in, he and Jones often discussed their own lives and future deaths. "Working with him, we talked about our own mortality a lot," said Grogan. "I just know that he's ok and he'd want us to continue on. He was a good man."