Robert "Bob" Jones

BOB JONES Click here to view a video of Bob's Life IDAHO FALLS, ID -- Robert D. "Bob" Jones died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family on February 4th, 2008, after a two-year struggle with cancer. Bob was born October 25th, 1951, in Beloit, Kansas, to Charles George and Anna E. Jones. Growing up in the Midwest during modest times shaped his character. He recalled a simple childhood where he lived carefree in the outdoors with friends and cousins, and spent many hours hunting and catfishing on the river. He loved gathering for the big Midwestern family dinners when all the relatives would show up. On August 18th, 1973, Bob married Judea Bray while he was attending Kansas State University. After he graduated with a degree in Wildlife Biology, they left for Canada where he worked in waterfowl research near Winnipeg. Soon they headed to Utah State University for graduate school and their first introduction to mountain culture. It was there that the flatlanders fell in love with the West, backpacking, skiing and garnering outdoor skills in the Utah mountains. After graduate school, Bob took a job with the Bureau of Land Management, transferring to Idaho Falls in 1979. Through the BLM he helped manage lands in the most pristine parts of Idaho and worked in wildlife preservation. A project that he particularly valued involved conservation of lands on the South Fork of the Snake River, which protected thousands of acres from development. He eventually left the BLM and went to work for the Department of Energy at the INL, where he was employed at the time of his death. When Bob and Judea added to their marriage a daughter and son, he found that he enjoyed nothing more than fatherhood. Heritage and simple pleasures were important to him and he passed these traditions on to Brandi and Cass by taking them on many outdoor adventures. They especially enjoyed family time at their cabin in Teton Valley. Bob loved school and always sought to learn more. Forever curious and intrigued , he loved a challenge. He valued simple living and had a fondness for handworks and the ways of the past. He was a talented woodworker and blacksmith and enjoyed tying flies and carving duck decoys. An enthusiastic cook, he loved to gather everyone in and feed them. He was a happy person with an insatiable appetite for life. He really hated to leave -- there was still so much to learn and teach and do. Bob is survived by his wife, Judea, daughter, Brandi, and son, Cass, of Idaho Falls, and his father, George Jones, and sister, Pat Jones, of Glasco, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his mother. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday February 9th, 2008, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 455 W. Sunnyside Road, with visitation one hour prior. Memorial donations can be made to the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, 162 N. Woodruff Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83401, and the Hospice Alliance,1270 S. Woodruff, Idaho Falls, ID 83404. ------------------------------------ Condolences received online: Depperschmidt Family You are, like always, in our thoughts. Jack, Carolyn, Quinn Pam Waagen I worked with Bob at DOE-ID. I was very sorry to hear of his passing. You have my deepest sympathy! Pam Waagen John (Jack) Peiffer JCP@SBCGLOBAL.NET George, Pat, Judea, and Family, I am so, so sorry to hear of the untimely passing of Bob. I never knew Bob that well, but after reading his obituary, I wish I had!!....Again, we are so sorry! John & Carol Peiffer John Payne Judea, I am so sorry to hear about Bob. I had no idea that he was sick. It is just too easy to fall out of touch. Judea, may God bless and comfort you and your family. My thoughts are with you. John Joanne M. Flinn flinnj@srv.net I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Bob. We worked together at DOE for a few years. I retired in 1996 so I have lost contact with many from DOE. Bob was always one of my favorites. The thing I will always remember about him was his "fairness." And, of course, he treated everyone the same and was always such a happy and "positive" person. I know he will be sorely missed by his family but you can be assured that he will be remembered with fondness and that he undoubtedly left a wonderful legacy behind. He loved his family so much and he would want you to have faith and be strong in the coming days and years ahead. Take care, remembering the good times and know that many thoughts and prayers are with you. Carol (Trude) Glotzbach Bob was a really special person. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you. Gayle Halderson Martin martingayler@yahoo.com Judy and family, My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family and Pat and George. As a classmate of Bob's all through school and church confirmation, I will remember his positive attitude, character and drive. He was a leader in everything he tackled. I also remember how much he enjoyed our 25-year class reunion. My prayers and thoughts go out to you, Gayle Halderson Martin, Concordia, KS Kathy Johnson jsjohnson1@cableone.net Our family was saddened to hear about the loss of your husband and father. He was a wonderful man. We will miss him as a neighbor and friend. My heart especially goes out to you, Brandi. Be strong and remember my thoughts and prayers are with you. Ed Duncan mened@shasta.com Judea, so sorry for your loss. Mary Ann and I often talk of our younger days and did get back last year for some fishing with some of the old crowd. First time in 12 years or so. I often come across an old picture of our IF BLM Basketball team in my desk and remember how we all enjoyed that comradery so much. We are grandparents now with #4 expected this April and each of our kids has a boy and girl now. Time heals......Peace to you and the kids. Ed and Mary Ann Marlin and Irene ampnrene1@yahoo.com Judea, Brandi, and Cass...our love and prayers are with you. Bob was a wonderful friend and we are really proud of him. Irene and Marlin Warren R. Hallum It was an honor and a pleasure to have worked with and learned from Bob Jones. His spirit will be with me as I travel the Idaho outdoors. Carol Larsen larscaro@d91.k12.id.us I would just like you to know that your family is in our thoughts and prayers. I am sorry that I never knew Bob, but I do know Cass and think he is one of the nicest boys that I have ever met. So I know that both of his parents are terrific. If there is anything that we can do, please let us know. Brad, Carol, Morgan and Kylee Larsen Marte DeMars jdemars1@cox.net I am sorry to hear of your loss. I have memories of Bob living across the street when we were kids. Marte' Demars Ken Thacker idahoweedguy@yahoo.com Judea and family, I have been deeply saddened by Bob's illness and passing. I worked with Bob from 2001 -03 on the INEEL Sagebrush Steppe Management Plan, where I was the BLM representative. The team relied heavily on his knowledge of both the BLM and DOE for success. Without this knowledge, and his energy and enthusiasm, the project would not have been possible. With Bob's passing the world is a lesser place and I feel fortunate to have spent the small amount of time with him that I did. Please accept my condolences and warm thoughts at this difficult time. Ken Thacker Salmon, Idaho Jan Bush (Pahls) jan@bushes.com Patty and Family, My deepest condolences in the loss of your brother. My prayers are with you and your family that you will find comfort and peace in this loss. Love, Jan Naomi (Berggren) Durant Dear Judea and family, I am so sorry for your loss. I remember Bob in high school as being Mr. All American, and so full of life and promise. It's so sad his life was cut short. May God be with you through this difficult time. Let the coming Easter remind us of our salvation and life eternal with our Lord Jesus Christ. Sincerely, Naomi Scott Powers ESPowers@bresnan.net Hi Judea. I was so sorry to hear about Bob's very untimely passing. It was a very nice obituary and certainly reflected the Bob that I remember. I'm sorry that we lost touch over the years and have many fond memories of our Idaho Falls years and the times we spent together. How old are your kids and what are they doing these days? My son is in his Freshman year at the University of Montana in Missoula. He's not decided on a major, but is thinking about resource management. My thoughts are with you and your family and I'm planning to donate something to the I.F. Hospice in Bob's memory. My sister died of cancer in Portland right after her 50th birthday and I'll never forget how wonderful and caring the hospice nurses were. My thoughts are with you, Scott Arlon, Nan, and families Judea, Brandi, Cass, George, & Patti, We were sorry to hear of Bobbie's passing. you are all in our thoughts and prayers. We had a lot of great family times together. He was a wonderful and giving person! Take care of one another. Nancy Reeves nancy@mtwichita.org Judea, I was so sorry to hear about Bob. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this horrible time. Nancy Nancy Briggs nancyyb@cableone.net Judea, Mom and I went to the Glasco Senior Center and were able to express our sympathy to George and Pat. She told us about the video and we came home and watched it. Such a wonderful tribute to Bob, his life, and beautiful family! Thanks for sharing. We're so sorry for your loss. Take care, Nancy & Evelyn Jana Cramer Fitzgerald jrcfitz@comcast.net To Judea and family, George and Pat, I wish to extend my deepest sympathies to you all at this time of tremendous loss. I know that your hearts are breaking and would like to offer a prayer, that even in this most difficult of times, that you would know that you are remembered and surrounded with love and the presence of God's unfailing love for each of you. Remember that God's promises are new every morning. In viewing the video tribute to Bob of your wonderful memories and life together, you have surely experienced this again and again in the simplicity of nature. I fondly remember Bob. I know that he is no longer suffering and hope that you all may find comfort and peace. I wish to extend the condolences of my family as well: Ruth and Kurt Cramer, Candie Nichols, Lissa Windhorst and Mary Kris Roberson. Grace and Peace, Jana Cramer Fitzgerald Rev. Wendell & Betty Berggren Dear Jones family, We have a scrapbook of newspaper articles and found a picture of Bob standing by his Advent candle project, and another of Bob's receiving a scouting award for a religious project. These bring pleasant memories, and we thank God for giving Bob to us to share God's gifts. We pray you will know God's peace. Love, Pastor & Betty Berggren From: Gerald & Brenda Berggren George, Pat, Judea, and Family, Bob was so healthy and vibrant. He tried to excel at many things. I remember in high school that he was involved in the more advanced academic classes while also participating in many other extra-curricular activities. I wondered how he was able to get everything done. Apparently he enjoyed all of what he did. We ran together in a couple of track events. One event was a relay at Wakefield, Kansas. I was a little unsure in the midst of everything and perhaps he sensed that, His experience in sports events had given him more confidence and through some gestures or the look in his eyes, he motivated me to do the best I could. He shared his confidence with someone who was not quite as advanced. That is a small thing but I remember it. He willingly and happily participated in all kinds of activities and when matters didn’t always turn out as expected, he seemed to know that God was there to love us. He remained “positive” because I think he knew there was hope in Christ to save us from the sickness in the world and our lack of perfectness. As Gayle Halderson Martin brought out, he and his family came to the 25th high school reunion. It was wonderful to see them. Hi Judea and family. I’m Brenda, Gerald’s wife, and I remember very well that High School reunion where I met you and Bob. It was a joy to meet you both, and Pat, too. I remember Bob as a friendly, energetic, and happy person who loved his family and life. Please know we are praying that God will hold you in His arms. May you find comfort and hope, knowing that Bob has been given his gift of eternal life. Gerald & Brenda Berggren. Gerald was Bob’s classmate at Glasco High School, graduating in 1970. Dave Grittman dngrittman@eaglecom.net So sorry to hear about Bob. The video of his life was very touching. Please take care. Dave Geo.(Bill) blackwood bgabdc49@yahoo.com I am the first cousin of Bob's dad . I just had the pleasure of watching Bob's life experiences on the internet from the funeral home. That was wonderful and I am sure that you will relive those wonderful memories with him in the future. It looks like he had a wonderful life and family to share it with. You have our sympathy and love. George and Wanda Blackwood Ruth Ann (Grittman) Zimmer ruthiez20@hotmail.com I was so sorry to hear about Bob's passing from my father. My thoughts are with you, Brandi and Cass. God Bless. Donald Gentry d_gentry@yahoo.com To the family of Bob. So sorry to hear of the loss of Bob. I have been getting up dates from George & Patty on Sundays at the resturant in Glasco after church. He will be missed. God Bless, Class of 1970. John & Dixie Houston To Judea, Brandi & Cass We are so very sorry to hear about Bob. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. Barb Williamson Holste jbholste@hotmail.com Dear Judea and family, Mom told me about Bob's illness and death. I am so sorry, Judea. Like so many others, I remember Bob as being very talented and outgoing. I even remember when you first fell in love and we would talk about Bob on the school bus going to ball games. Kathy Miller was in on it, too. :-) From the video, it looked like you had many wonderful memories together with your children. Just this past year, we lost a senior after a two-year battle with cancer. He was a terrific guy. Now I see his parents at wrestling matches cheering his peers to carry on. I hope you have someone to encourage you to do the same. If and when you have a memorial service in Glasco, I would like to come. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Barb Williamson Holste Naomi Durant Dear Judea, Just another note. We had never heard of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition until we saw it as a place to contribute in Bob's memory. We were impressed that Bob had worked to preserve the environment along the Snake River in Idaho, and we thought the GYC must be good, since you and Bob must have supported it. Then last night, we saw the NOW program on PBS, and the subject was mining in southeast Idaho. Someone from the GYC spoke about their struggles to preserve the environment, and how the mining left behind toxic levels of selenium that were harmful to fish and mammals. We then knew our contribution was going to a very good cause. Thanks for the suggestion to give to GYC as a memorial to Bob. Rhonda Plante I'll never forget Bob and his ferris wheel and the time the boys got together and we got to visit. I'm so glad we got that time. From the video his life looked very fulfilling and one some would only imagine. Sorry it ended so soon. We love you all. God Bless Chris, Rhonda, Aaron, Joni, and Brendan Plante Kathleen Trever ktrever@gmail.com I just learned of Bob's death last month. I didn't know Bob's family, but I'm sure you already know what a special person Bob was. Bob & I had many long conversations as our paths crossed at numerous government meetings. Bob could find humor and positives in nearly any situation. He was proud to be a public servant, and he worked to bring people and the environment into harmony. It was a privilege and a pleasure to work with him. We were always threatening to go have a beer sometime, and I'm sorry we never did! I will miss his smile, quick wit, and positive attitude.