Leland Jones

We mourn the loss of our husband, brother, father and friend, Leland Monroe Jones, who died September 13, 2016 at the Idaho State Veterans home surrounded by family.

Lee was born to Eura and Deana Larson Jones in Pocatello, Idaho on December 20, 1927. He went to Pocatello Schools and enjoyed a wonderful childhood. As a young adult, Lee worked as a bellhop at the Bannock Hotel. He was raised with high work ethics and strong values so he did well.

Like so many young men, Lee left school in his senior year to help with the war effort. He joined the U.S. Navy and was shipped to Guam for the remainder of World War II. Pocatello High School awarded the diplomas to the veterans who survived and returned in a lovely graduation ceremony many years later.

Lee was a Jeweler in Idaho Falls for 60 years. He started apprenticing with his uncle, a watchmaker, after the war while working at a Pocatello auto sales and service company. Eventually, he and his wife and children took a chance and moved to Idaho Falls after Lee obtained a corner space at the C.C. Anderson Department Store. He started with a lot of hard work, determination, and a shoe box full of inventory. In 1954 Lee rented the location at 430 Park Avenue and became Lee’s Jewelers. He was in downtown Idaho Falls for 58 years. He retired after 60 years only due to ALS (Lou Gehrig disease).

He really loved people and they responded. He was a conscientious civic supporter in both word and deed. He served on numerous committees and boards. He was Master of his Masonic lodge, was an active Shriner, and served as president of Rotary. He spent many years promoting the downtown area and various organizations for that purpose, he worked toward the beautification of the greenbelt and the renovation of Sportsman’s park. He also helped plant the May trees along South Boulevard. In his spare time he really enjoyed working with wood. He built his first boat. He built and continuously expanded the cabin family and friends enjoyed in Island Park. Many will remember the good times swimming, water skiing, snowmobiling and cooking there. He remodeled homes, built fireplaces, decks, waterfalls; an endless list. If he was not creating jewelry, he was working with some other stone or wood.

Somehow, it was all fun. Always up for clowning or playing a practical joke, he drew people. Serious when the event called for it, encouraging always, gently prodding young people to be the best they could be, doing what he could to be a quiet help, he was a most generous and giving man. He will be sorely missed.

He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Jones, Idaho Falls, ID; two siblings, Dale Jones, Idaho Falls, ID and Beverley Howell, Pocatello, ID; with his first wife, Jimmie Jones, six children were born. Vicky (Steve) Thomas, Bend, OR; Debby (Richard) Brown; Jeanine (Jerry) Drube; Brenda Brien, all of Boise ID; Cindy (John) Hansen; and Brent Jones, both of Idaho Falls.

He gained three children when he married Kathryn. They are Angela (Randy) Sievers; Elizabeth (Scott) Humpherys, both of Idaho Falls and Dirk (Becky) Moon, San Diego, CA. Lee leaves 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren who loved him dearly.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. October 1, 2016 at the First Presbyterian Church. Interment will be at the Taylor Cemetery.

We want to thank the staff at Encompass who helped at home with Lee for as long as possible. They are so good.

We have special gratitude for those staff and volunteers at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Pocatello. They are truly caring and loving and took such good care of Lee these past 14 months. They can never be thanked enough. There are so many professionals, friends and family who helped Lee through this time. We so appreciate them all.

Those wishing to make a donation in Lee’s memory and the fight against neurological disease may want to consider:

ALS Association; Paralyzed Veterans of America; MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association). Others are Idaho State Veterans Home or Shrine Crippled Children’s Hospital.