Douglas Jones

Douglas Max Jones passed away at his home in Columbia Falls on Sept. 9, 2014. He was able to celebrate his mother’s birthday with her that evening in Heaven. Doug courageously waited to enter into rest after fighting brain cancer for 11 months.

Doug was born to Edward Clay Jones and Esther Zell (Wagner) Jones on Nov. 24, 1951, in Whitefish. Columbia Falls has always been his home, other than a short time as a child when his parents moved the family to Kalispell. He was six, and the family worked and played on a dairy farm that he had fond memories of. He graduated in 1970 from Columbia Falls High School and has supported the Wildcats ever since. He attended college at Flathead Valley Community College.

As a child as well as an adult, he was very close to each of his siblings, Robert “Bob”, Fred, Carroll, Dave and Lorie, and can call each of them his best friend. He felt lucky that they have all grown up in and stayed in the valley where they can remain close to each other.

He pumped gas and bailed hay while in high school. He worked at Superior Lumber Mill for a very short time as well as the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. plant before starting at Plum Creek Timber Co. in October 1974.

Doug enjoyed a strong cup of coffee and once in a while a whiskey on ice. Doug was very passionate about the outdoors. His favorite time of year was autumn. He enjoyed watching animals as well as hunting and fishing, and simply walking or driving in the woods.

He always put safety first and thought it very important to leave the wilderness as you find it. He enjoyed archery and rifle seasons, and depending on the season it would be his favorite. Loading his own ammunition to hunt was important to him, and he would be damned if any president or anyone else was going to tell him he could not have a gun (or two) in his home.

He built his home and helped with many others. Doug enjoyed taxidermy, which turned into such a business it became more work than fun, and he struggled to say no to family and friends. He was like a child watching his sons play and compete in sports and would help coach to be that much closer to the action.

Bowling was another favorite pastime — if you were not sure where he was, you would probably find him at the Pin N Cue Bowling Alley. Like with most things, he was very humble about reaching an 815 series and a 300 score game in 2009. Planning for retirement, he purchased a Harley Davidson motorcycle that sadly he did not get to enjoy for long.

Doug greatly loved and was proud of his family. He is survived by his wife Lori and four children, Sharlyn Reed and husband Jim, Chris Jones and wife Melissa, Brandon Bras and wife Robin, and Daniel Jones, all of the Flathead Valley. His first wife of 15 years, Jamie, and her husband Mike Bone have remained part of the family. He was blessed with eight beautiful grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and many more true friends. Doug was humble, full of integrity and kindness and will be missed by many.

The family would like to thank everyone involved for the professionalism and many acts of kindness they have been shown during this stressful and untimely period.

Per Doug’s request, there will not be a funeral. A celebration of his life will be held at the Pin N Cue Bowling Alley and conference room on Sunday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The family will scatter remains at a private setting on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Contributions in Doug’s name are suggested to the Columbia Falls WildCats/Kats Athletic Endowment Association (WAEA).