Donald Jones

Donald L. Jones, 84 year-old resident of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, died December 29, 2004, at the Veteran?s Hospital, Fayetteville, Arkansas. Born March 3, 1920 in Volin, South Dakota, he was the son of William Evan Jones and Isabelle Saylor Jones. He grew up as part of a large family along the Missouri River in Yankton, South Dakota. He joined the National Guard in November of 1937 at age 17, served the guard until 1940, at which time he entered the Army. He served five years from 1940 to 1945 as a reconnaissance and survey officer in the East Indies, New Guinea, and Bismarck, Archipelago. He was awarded three bronze stars, the American Theatre Medal, Asiatic Pacific Medal and was discharged as a Second Lieutenant on November 10, 1945. Donald worked as a masonry contractor most of his life in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area after moving there in the early 1950?s. He specialized in brick work and building fireplaces. He retired in the mid 1980?s as a carpenter to live in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. He loved to fish, and had a real appreciation for journeyman craftsmanship of any type. Donald was a member of Liberty Baptist Church, Siloam Springs. Survivors include his wife Geraldine Jones of the home; three sons, Mark Jones of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Dean Jones of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, and Ward Jones of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; two daughters, Janet Price of Beaumont, California, and Joni Almendares of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Three stepsons, Wayne Mayo of Springdale, Arkansas, Thomas Mayo of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Johnny Mayo of Flint, Oklahoma; and one stepdaughter, Iretha Maxwell of Colcord, Oklahoma; 22 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; three brothers, Bob Jones of Denver, Colorado, Bill Jones of Arlington, Texas, Jack Jones of Santa Barbara, California; two sisters, Doris White of Santa Anna, California, and Sylvia Picking of Omaha, Nebraska. Funeral services will be 3:30 p.m., Friday, December 31, 2004, at Wasson Memorial Chapel, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, with Rev. Ralph DeVore officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Visitation will be 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, December 30, 2004, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 440 College Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701.

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Donald Jones

March 3, 1920 - December 29, 2004