Obituary for Donald Jones
Donald Jones passed away October 22, 2020, at the The Cambridge Assisted Living in Quincy, WA. He was proceeded in March of 2020 by his wife Glennie of 65 years. Born October 3rd, 1936 in Twin Falls, Idaho to parents John & May Jones, he was the youngest of five siblings. The oldest brother Jack Jones (deceased), twin sisters Beth Peeler, Ruth Ruef and Wilma Rehberg (deceased). He has two daughters, Kay Brewer (Jerry) of Quincy and Anita Lacher (Mark) of Fairfield, MT. Also three grandchildren Dawn Helzer, Max Lacher and Andie Lacher.
Don started his life in Murtagh Idaho, but moved to Pavillion, Wyoming where he started the 7th grade. It was during this time Don learned to love sports, playing on the basketball and football teams of this small school. This formative time in his life was very memorable to him . He told Wyoming stories of people, sports and hunting like they were yesterday.
In 1951, when Don was a high school sophomore, he moved to Quincy where he met Glennie Brown. She was a cheerleader and he on the football and basketball team. After graduating high school in 1954, he received a football scholarship to Eastern Washington University college. He played one season then moved back to marry Glennie. Don worked for Darigold when they were first married. Glennie always joked her first daughter was by the milkman.
In 1960, Don started work for Grant County PUD, as a maintenance man. He went through the apprenticeship program and became Hydro mechanic in 1966. Working his way up the ranks he retired in 1992 as a Hydro Supervisor. It was during this time that he developed many solid and long-lasting friendships. Don’s management style was something that was largely respected, with his famous saying of “let your conscience be your guide”, he assumed that given a chance all people would do the right thing. He mentored many and was even doing so with the caregivers at the Cambridge Assisted Living, to whom he was so thankful for their help.
In 1966, Don & Glennie bought property in Quincy, out of town, a small farm and plenty of room for horses. There he raised various crops including potatoes with the help of good friends Don & Nancy Weil and the Miller family. In 1990, he put his small farm into apples and became an Orchardist too. This was their home where they raised their family and animals until 2005. In 2005 they then purchased a downsized home at the Quincy Golf Course and took up golf.
Don inherited the love for horses from his parents. His first horse was named Gypsy and was the first of many spanning over 80 years. He always remembered owning and riding horses even up to the last year of his life. In the early years of marriage, Don and Glennie competed in gaming horse shows with his parents and friends. Don also loved to go the mountains - “the high country” – on his horses. There were many pack trips and hunting trips with (Doc) Jim Stansfield and other family and friends. Later, he competed on his horse in Cow Cutting. He practiced and competed on some very special horses. At times, he traveled and rode with daughter Kay and son-in-law Jerry. In the last two years of his life, he was able to take his horse to Arizona to ride with his younger daughter Anita and his granddaughter Andie.
Don was thrilled that his daughters and their families inherited the “horse gene”. He was also proud of Anita’s husband Mark, for a farming life in Montana. And Kay’s husband Jerry, who also competed in various horse events and farmed in Oregon. Don had three grandchildren, and he was very proud of each of their achievements. The oldest is Dawn Helzer of Sacramento, CA. He was proud of Dawn’s educational & work accomplishments; he bought her first horse and in later years would talk football with her. Max Lacher of Great Falls, Montana, recently married Autumn last fall. They are expecting Don and Glennie’s first great grandchild. His youngest grandchild is Andie Lacher of Fairfield, Montana. Don and Andie went to see his favorite basketball team, Gonzaga, just last winter. Even though his team didn’t win, it was a cherished memory.
Don and Glennie loved the community of Quincy. In later years, he loved to go for car rides, remembering people he knew and the land he viewed which all connected with a story. Because of his love of Quincy and it’s history the family asks in leu of flowers or gifts, please send all donations to Quincy Valley Historical Society, PO Box 1003, Quincy, WA 98848
There will be a service for both Don and Glennie at Quincy Valley Historical Society’s church with grave side to follow on Friday, November 13, 2020.
Due to current health restrictions (only 30 people allowed to attend funeral services and by invitation only), social distancing and facial covering will be regulated.
Scharbach’s Columbia Funeral Chapel, Quincy, is assisting the family with arrangements.
Don started his life in Murtagh Idaho, but moved to Pavillion, Wyoming where he started the 7th grade. It was during this time Don learned to love sports, playing on the basketball and football teams of this small school. This formative time in his life was very memorable to him . He told Wyoming stories of people, sports and hunting like they were yesterday.
In 1951, when Don was a high school sophomore, he moved to Quincy where he met Glennie Brown. She was a cheerleader and he on the football and basketball team. After graduating high school in 1954, he received a football scholarship to Eastern Washington University college. He played one season then moved back to marry Glennie. Don worked for Darigold when they were first married. Glennie always joked her first daughter was by the milkman.
In 1960, Don started work for Grant County PUD, as a maintenance man. He went through the apprenticeship program and became Hydro mechanic in 1966. Working his way up the ranks he retired in 1992 as a Hydro Supervisor. It was during this time that he developed many solid and long-lasting friendships. Don’s management style was something that was largely respected, with his famous saying of “let your conscience be your guide”, he assumed that given a chance all people would do the right thing. He mentored many and was even doing so with the caregivers at the Cambridge Assisted Living, to whom he was so thankful for their help.
In 1966, Don & Glennie bought property in Quincy, out of town, a small farm and plenty of room for horses. There he raised various crops including potatoes with the help of good friends Don & Nancy Weil and the Miller family. In 1990, he put his small farm into apples and became an Orchardist too. This was their home where they raised their family and animals until 2005. In 2005 they then purchased a downsized home at the Quincy Golf Course and took up golf.
Don inherited the love for horses from his parents. His first horse was named Gypsy and was the first of many spanning over 80 years. He always remembered owning and riding horses even up to the last year of his life. In the early years of marriage, Don and Glennie competed in gaming horse shows with his parents and friends. Don also loved to go the mountains - “the high country” – on his horses. There were many pack trips and hunting trips with (Doc) Jim Stansfield and other family and friends. Later, he competed on his horse in Cow Cutting. He practiced and competed on some very special horses. At times, he traveled and rode with daughter Kay and son-in-law Jerry. In the last two years of his life, he was able to take his horse to Arizona to ride with his younger daughter Anita and his granddaughter Andie.
Don was thrilled that his daughters and their families inherited the “horse gene”. He was also proud of Anita’s husband Mark, for a farming life in Montana. And Kay’s husband Jerry, who also competed in various horse events and farmed in Oregon. Don had three grandchildren, and he was very proud of each of their achievements. The oldest is Dawn Helzer of Sacramento, CA. He was proud of Dawn’s educational & work accomplishments; he bought her first horse and in later years would talk football with her. Max Lacher of Great Falls, Montana, recently married Autumn last fall. They are expecting Don and Glennie’s first great grandchild. His youngest grandchild is Andie Lacher of Fairfield, Montana. Don and Andie went to see his favorite basketball team, Gonzaga, just last winter. Even though his team didn’t win, it was a cherished memory.
Don and Glennie loved the community of Quincy. In later years, he loved to go for car rides, remembering people he knew and the land he viewed which all connected with a story. Because of his love of Quincy and it’s history the family asks in leu of flowers or gifts, please send all donations to Quincy Valley Historical Society, PO Box 1003, Quincy, WA 98848
There will be a service for both Don and Glennie at Quincy Valley Historical Society’s church with grave side to follow on Friday, November 13, 2020.
Due to current health restrictions (only 30 people allowed to attend funeral services and by invitation only), social distancing and facial covering will be regulated.
Scharbach’s Columbia Funeral Chapel, Quincy, is assisting the family with arrangements.