Raymond Jones Obituary

Durango native Raymond Carl Jones died in Grand Junction on Monday, May 25, 2009. He was 87.

Mr. Jones was born to Carl W. and Hannah E. (Tinker) Jones in Durango on Feb. 3, 1922.

He grew up in Durango and graduated from Durango High School.

On. Dec. 12, 1943, he married Betty Lou Lechner in Aztec.

Mr. Jones was a dairy farmer on a ranch near Pastorius Reservoir on Florida Mesa, and he drove a school bus for Durango School District 9-R.

For many summers, he drove a bus for San Juan Tours taking tourists who were riding the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad one way.

Mr. Jones was a member of the Florida Grange, 4-H and the Good Sam's Club. He also served as president of the Florida Cemetery for several years.

In 1955, he was named Colorado Farmer of the Year.

He enjoyed gardening, doing yard work, dancing and camping. His family said he was a rock hound.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones moved to Grand Junction in 1987.

"His greatest joys were his family and friends," they wrote.

Mr. Jones is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty Jones, of Grand Junction; sons Dennis C. Jones of Durango and Bruce R. Jones of Clifton; sister Della Ray of Salt Lake City; half-brother Elbert Smith of El Paso, Texas; six grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 28, 2009, at Callahan-Edfast Mortuary in Grand Junction. Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2009, at Florida Cemetery 1024 County Road 230 east of County Road 229.