James Wiley Jones, Jr.

Born Dec 2, 1932 in Elk City, Oklahoma, raised in Scotland, Arkansas and Yakima, Washington, and resided in Lone Tree, Colorado; Jim Jones made his transition Sep 20, 2014 after a courageous bout with multiple myeloma. Preceded in death by his wife of 54 years Janice Jones (Jelinek); parents James W. Jones Sr. and Hattie Jones (Logan); sisters Lera Williams, Mildred Woodward, Lucille Lindsey, and brother Glen Jones. Survived by his 5 children Sheri Jones-Guzman (Manuel Guzman), Teri Hensley (Melissa), Doug Jones (Sharon), Debbie Mascis (Mark), and Sandy Myrick (Bill); his 12 grandchildren Sean MacDonnell (Lyn), Lindsay Garrison (David), Steven Belisle, Tacey Jones, Zachary Jones, Kevin Bickel, Krystal Bickel, Nathan Jones, Andrew Brown, Wiley Myrick, Summer Myrick, and Manuel Guzman Jr.; and 4 great-grandchildren Ry, Everett, Wes, and Jacoby. Jim was a self-proclaimed dirt-poor child working throughout his childhood and youth farming and picking cotton. He joined the United States Air Force right out of high school in March 1952, stationed at Lowry AFB. He served until March 1956 achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. He then served in the Colorado Army National Guard from April 1956 to May 1962 (including 8 months active duty during the Berlin Crisis), with the rank of Master Sergeant. Jim met the love of his life Jan Jelinek in December 1954 while working part-time as a car-hop. They had their first date on Christmas night 1954 and were married in March 1955. Their family grew quickly and by 1961 they were raising 5 kids in Arvada, Colorado. He was active on the committee for the Arvada United Methodist Church for five years and taught adult and children's religious education. Jim volunteered as a Scout Leader in troop 305 for 5 years, while his son achieved Eagle Scout. He helped the troop build canoes which they floated on rivers from Wyoming to Colorado, traveled to Bahamas on a sailboat, and camped out in all kinds of weather conditions. He often said raising four girls (two sets of twins!) was financial suicide, but he sure was a proud father when it came time to walk each one of them down the aisle. Other than that, it was a blur- pom-poms, dresses, makeup, sewing, and beginner bras were just not his forte'. None-the-less, he was always there for them and taught them all how to drive superbly! Jim retired in 1996 after 39 years with Stearns-Roger/ Stearns-Catalytic/ Raytheon Engineers & Constructors. As a Purchasing Manager, he worked on large mining and plant construction projects. One of his more exciting jobs took them to Hawaii to live for several years. His legacy is larger than life and will live on through his five children and their children. It includes laughter, love, discipline, hard work, and a very proud Jones family. He showed us how to live and how to die -- gracefully and valiantly. ""Chogey on Dad!"" We love you so much. A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2014, 2:15pm, Fort Logan National Cemetery, 3698 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver, CO 80236. Flowers can be sent to: c/o Sheri Jones 8205 Sweetwater Road Lone Tree, CO 80124 In lieu of flowers, donations are also recommended to support Multiple Myeloma awareness: veterans.myeloma.org/ Please share your memories of Jim and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.