Merlyn James Jones, 80, of George passed away at his home on Monday, July 2, 2012. He was born on June 5, 1932 to Thomas Litteton Jones, III & Gertye Mae (Strong) Jones at Winchester, ID.

He attended schools in Parma, ID. He moved to California before moving to Quincy in 1955 then to George in 1964 where he farmed until his retirement.

Merlyn married Lorene Bone in 1973 at Ellensburg.

He is survived by his wife Lorene Jones of George, Children, Merl (Tina Shepard) Jones of Port Orchard, Kathy Lewis of Scottsdale, AZ, Thomas L. (Cathy) Jones, IV of George and Jennifer Jones of Bonney Lake, Step-children, Larry Stroomer of Orting, Tim (Claudia) Stroomer of Auburn, Jim (Diane) Stroomer of Lynden and Bill Stroomer of Sumner, 25 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. Brother, Guy R. Jones of Oregon City, OR, sister, Mary Ellen Hopkins of Hood River, OR.

Merlyn worked as a carpenter, hay-truck driver, custom farmer and helped build the I-90 freeway from Ellensburg to Vantage. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, trail riding, tractor pulls, and all aspects of horsemanship. A fun-loving and gregarious person, he seldom went anywhere without meeting people he knew. If he did find himself in new company, he was quick to strike up a conversation and make friends of all he met.

Merlyn was preceded in death his parents, infant son, Steven, step-son, Ronald Stroomer, grandson, Brady Lewis, sister, Janice M. Mager and nephew, Terry R. Jones.

A loving and loveable father, grandfather, brother, friend and neighbor, he will be deeply missed by many

A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at Scharbach’s Columbia Funeral Chapel, Quincy, and a reception will follow at the George Community Hall at 2:30 PM.

The family request that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the Leukemia Foundation.

Please leave a memory for the family or sign their online guestbook at www.scharbachs.com.
Scharbach’s Columbia Funeral Chapel, Quincy is handling arrangements.

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