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Gary Dee Jones

Apr. 25, 1933 - Jan. 15, 2022

Date of Service: Jan. 21, 2022

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BURLEY – Gary Dee Jones, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, building contractor, Scout Master, sports enthusiast, pie lover, and home teacher, died peacefully at his home on Saturday, January 15, 2022.

Gary was born on April 25, 1933, in Almo, Idaho, to Delta Parish and Joseph Ernest Jones. He was the second child, and only boy, in a family of three girls, JoAnn MacKenzie, Carolyn Clayton, and Renae Moncur.

Gary had a wonderful childhood, spending summers tending sheep for his Grandpa Parish up Cottonwood Canyon near Elba, Idaho, with his two cousins, Conrad and Devon Ottley. He loved his hikes to Independence Lakes with the same cousins. He spent long days along Spring Creek with his dog, leaving in the morning to fish and explore, and not coming back until night. He attended elementary school in Elba, Salt Lake City, Utah, Declo and Springdale, Idaho. He graduated from Burley High School in 1951.

Gary’s father left when he was 12, so Gary worked every summer and had various jobs after school, including setting bowling pins at the local bowling alley, scooping ice cream at the local ice cream shop, and working as an attendant at a local gas station. He spent two summers after high school working on a road construction crew in Alaska. He attended one semester at Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah, and liked to tell his kids that it only took him one semester for him to learn everything he needed to know.

He married Bertha Priest on December 19, 1952. They were later divorced. Their union was blessed with seven children. Their first baby, Kim Dee Jones, died at six months from intussusception of the bowels. At the time, fathers were exempt from the draft in the Korean Conflict. Kim’s death qualified Gary as 1A and he was required to report for duty. He was stationed in Hawaii and served two years as a tank commander in the 361st Field Artillery Battalion. He achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class before his honorable discharge in 1957.

After returning home, Gary worked delivering gasoline for a time, was employed in construction, and worked as a carpenter. He managed Pomerelle Ski Resort in the winter of 1962. He started his own construction company, Gary D. Jones Construction, in 1959. He began this endeavor with an old truck, a hand saw, and a hammer. This was a successful venture, building hundreds of farm buildings, businesses, homes, and churches that are scattered throughout the Magic Valley. He was recognized as Cassia County Businessman of the Year in 2002 by the Mini-Cassia Chamber of Commerce. His company is still a thriving business that is owned and managed by three sons and two grandsons.

Gary married Deborah Dawn Beecher on August 10, 1978, in the Salt Lake Temple. This union was blessed with five more children.

Gary was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved home teaching and served in a variety of callings, including nursery leader and as a counselor in the Unity Second Ward bishopric. He served as a Boy Scout leader for more than 50 years, participating in Eagle Projects of at least one hundred scouts. He was awarded the Silver Beaver, a council-level distinguished service award, on March 8, 2008. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors for United Electric for many years. One of his favorite church assignments was serving a full-time mission with his wife, Deborah Jones, in the Illinois Nauvoo Mission.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Ernest Jones and Delta Parish; two sisters, JoAnn MacKenzie and Carolyn Clayton; and two sons, Kim Dee Jones (1954) and Von Craig Jones (2005).

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Deborah Beecher Jones; one sister, Renae (Gale) Moncur; ten children, Kaylin (Shane) Ure, Gary Chad (Bonnie Beck) Jones, Dee Lon (Bonnie Coltrin) Jones, Lisa (Brendon) Gorringe, Risa (Jeff) Greenwood, Orvil Ty (Megi) Jones, Cree Lane (Amanda) Jones, Biff Beecher (Rosie) Jones, Cade Lyn (Mandy) Jones, and Tesha Dawn (Dustyn) Hicks; 50 grandchildren; and 81 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Burley West Stake Center, located at 2420 Parke Ave., with Bishop Eric Page officiating. Burial will be in Grand View Cemetery in Elba.

Family and friends will be received from 5 until 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20, at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Friday, preceding the funeral, at the church.

A live webcast of the Funeral Service will be available and maintained at the following link: https://youtu.be/wY-35qXVfIc.

Condolences for Gary Dee Jones

Comments may be screened and removed by the staff as deemed appropriate.

From Idaho State Veterans Cemetery:

Rest in peace knowing honor and gratitude of service.

From Nola Asher:

My heart goes out to you and your family at this time of saying a temporary goodbye. Gary has been called on anew assignment and will be waiting for you all and a great reunion will be held. May the Lord fill your hearts with peace knowing your are a Forever Family. Sorry I am unable to attend but my cough would not be welcome. Know that I love you all!

From Dix & Rebecca Densley:

Gary is a wonderful man. We are so grateful for the influence of his life on ours. In celebrating Gary’s life it’s impossible not to recognize Deb’s impact. Thank you for making our family, each and everyone one of us, a priority. The Jones clan was forged by their dedication. We love you both!

From Angela Garside:

I send my love and deepest sympathy to your family. I have a special place in my heart for your family. Gary was a remarkable man who is an example to all. My life have been blessed by having known you. Love, Angela Robinson Garside

From Nola Asher:

From Dolores Booth:

So sorry to hear of your loss. My heart and love go out to you and the family

From Dave and Diane Ringle:

A giant of a man of great faith and integrity who unselfishly served through his whole life. Our family was among the hundreds who have been blessed by his service, and we are eternally grateful.. He will be greatly missed. His unmeasurable influence lives on in his wonderful family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. You are his legacy. His goodness lives on in you. We love you!

From Brent and Holly Larsen:

Our hearts and prayers are with you each. What a great man Gary is. We are privileged to know him and all you Jones Family. We are greatly blessed by all your influences in our community and our lives.
With Love, thank you.

From Ron Osterhout:

What a life well lived!! From his walking by our house to Deborah's apartment for a date to watching him in high gear on the riding mower he and Deborah have always held special places in our hearts. Your family is such a rich legacy and shining examples to everyone. May the Lord's peace and assurance of a glorious future reunion be with Deborah and the family. We love you.
Ron & Judy Osterhout and family.

From Brent and Laurie McMillan:

We love Gary Jones and his family who have had such a great influence on our family and so many others. Gary leaves a wonderful legacy of love, hard work and faith. He is such a great example of how you can turn difficult times into great strength and blessings.

From Lyle & Jennifer Sager:

Our sincere condolences at the passing of such a great man. I’m sure all of you have treasured memories of the time spent with Gary. May they help assuage the anguish and sadness you must feel at this time. Our best to all of the Jones family.

From Nola Asher:

From Ruel and Kay Barker:

I've known Gary my entire life and have always found him an example to try to follow. His parents and my parents were great friends and consequently the Jones children and the Barker children spent our younger years playing and learning much about life together. Gary has always been a model for anyone who knew him to look up to and admire. We express our condolences and love to Deborah and family.

From Kathy Thompson:

We are grateful to have known and worked with Gary over the years. Sincerely Nolan and Kathy Thompson.

From Kenneth Hansen:

Gary built my home, was a good skier, worked on Pomerelle construction, and managed the ski area one winter. He wis a leader of my Elders Quorum, and participated in many Quorum projects..

From Kerry Hutchison:

I worked for Gary for almost 20 years, He was a great boss.

From Tim Gunderson:

So sorry to hear this. I am thinking of all you Jones kids that I know from Burley High.

From Wayne & Michelle Davids:

So sorry to hear about your loss. Sending hugs and praying for your family during this difficult time.

From Lottie Hurst :

Z
So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing ,sending love and condolences to Debra and all the family

From Jan Manning:

Deborah and family, so sad to hear of Gary's passing. He was a great positive influence on our 4 boys. My prayers are with you now and especially in the weeks ahead.

From Cindy Parish Wilmarth:

Dear Jones family...I am so sorry for your loss....Gary was a loving kind righteous man.....great reunion in heaven....sending love and prayers

From Mike and Sherry Spencer:

Deborah, We send our love and sympathy to you and your family. What a great life you and Gary have had and what a great posterity. Thinking about you brings back lots of great memories!

From Eileen A. Petersen:

We send our deep, heart-felt condolences to Deborah and family at this sad time. Gary leaves such a legacy for all of you, and all of us! He did so much for so many, including us.. May your faith in the Atonement of the Savior that makes the Plan of Salvation operational sustain you, knowing that Gary's separation is temporary and families are FOREVER. Deb, you and Gary are truly Eternal Sweethearts! Love from Eileen Petersen and family. P.S. I know how happy Walt is to be with one of his best friends again.

From Randy and Sheila Buchei:

We are so sad to hear about the passing of your sweetheart Deborah. He was the hardest working missionary in Nauvoo and could work circles around all of us. His craftsmanship was admired. We pray you will be sustained by the many wonderful memories you shared. May you be blessed with peace and comfort in the difficult days ahead. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. We love you.

From Panama parish ruby:

Dear Jones family, so sorry to hear of Gary's passing. He was always such an example of kindness and love. My thoughts and prayers are with Deborah and all your family. Will miss him. Love Pam parish ruby.

From Larry and Loretta Sudweeks:

Dearest Deborah, Such fond memories serving with you and Gary in Nauvoo. You served willingly and delightfully added so much to our enjoyment of Nauvoo. From Rendezvous performances to the careful work Gary did in FM. We are grateful for those precious times with you both. What a wonderful family you have.

From Debbie Apperson:

Dear Debbie.
Bob and I are so saddened to hear of Gary's passing. What fun we had in Nauvoo!!!! When we arrived October Conference weekend of 2014 if I remember right you were director for Rendezvous. We LOVE you both and so enjoyed serving with you in sacred Nauvoo. 2 of the best years of our lives. Bob and I both remember after every activity Gary would be the first one to "CLEAN UP". He would grab a broom or a vacuum and away he would go, if you were in his way you better get out of the way QUICK!!!Hahah. He will be missed for sure. How wonderful to KNOW you will see him again never to be apart. May God bless you and all your posterity with comfort and peace as you process the temporary separation from your eternal sweetheart. Love you bunches, Bob and Debbie Apperson

From Randy and Sheila Buchei:

From Garth and Jean Freymiller:

Our sincere condolencs to Debra and the entire Jones family on the passing of Gary! He was a man who held a special place in the hearts of many people! Our community has lost a great leader! our thought and prayers are with you all! Garth and Jean Freymiller

From Matt & Trista Cook:

Gary Jones is one of the greatest men we've known and his passing will leave a hole not only in our heart, but in our church and community. He was a mentor to an untold number of young men and helped dozens and dozens of them achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He was the best example I've ever seen of watching over and ministering to a family. For a decade he came to our home as a home teacher and served our family in every way conceivable. He and Deborah and a wonderful example of raising a wonderful family and serving the community. He will be missed, but never forgotten.
Matt & Trista Cook and Family

From Richard & Ann Smith:

We have lost a great man and Heaven has Gained a giant we thought the world of Gary. He truly was a great man in our lives. He will truly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Deborah and Family we love you!

From Gay Dawn and Lonnie Downs:

Our sincere sympathy to Deborah and all of the Jones family. Gary was a pillar in our community and very respected for his integrity and generosity. He was a hard-working man who just never seemed to stop. We enjoyed the years of being in the same Unity ward and also being neighbors. We pray that the Lord will bless you and bring comfort and peace to help you at this difficult time.

From Guy and Lyn Ann Arnell :

Deborah,Ty and all your wonderful family. We are sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you.

From Jack and Laura Hill:

Our prayers go out Deborah and the whole Jones family. We are saying a short farewell to a legend. He was a great example to all who knew him. May the Lord assuage your grief and leave all the sweet memories. Love, Jack and Laura Hill

From Robert Ramsey:

He will be greatly missed. He has an amazing legacy of wonderful children and grandchildren. The whole family is an example to us . He will be greatly missed. Love and prayers to Deborah and all the family. Bob and Eileen Ramsey

From Leon Clegg:

No words to describe the power and influence of this great man. He will forever be etched in our the hearts of the Clegg family. What a wonderful home teacher is was to our family. So many can testify the same words that we have.
Our thoughts and prayers to Deborah and all the Jones family. They all hold a special place in our hearts.
Leon & Dori Clegg and family

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