Norman Edgar Jones

United States WWII Veteran

Norman Edgar Jones, 92, passed peacefully to his eternal home to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on November 13, 2016 in Richland, Washington. His final moments were spent with family members, including his beloved wife, Ruth. 

Norman was born April 12, 1924 to William Reynolds Jones and Myrtle Gladys Heydlauff Jones in American Falls, Idaho.

His first home was in Roy, Idaho, subsequently moving with his parents about the state to Wilder, Jerome, American Falls, Rockland and back to Roy. Norman graduated from eighth grade in Roy. He attended High School in American Falls, graduating in 1941. He returned to the family dry farm with a strong interest in tractors and automobiles that were replacing horses. World War II was soon on the horizon and when he and his buddy dropped in to check their draft status in 1944, they were offered their draft notices from the clerk, to whom they replied “mail them to us” and then ran around the corner and enlisted in the Navy.

In the US Navy, Norman was trained as a machinist and diesel engine mechanic, and then shipped overseas to Trinidad for the duration of the war. He earned top test scores as a mechanic on the base, but with his farm background, he was transferred to manage a large fruit and vegetable plantation. The Navy had drilled wells inland away from the harbor for an auxiliary water supply in case enemy submarines would destroy the coastal fresh water supply. The wells were on standby. Norman helped get permission from the Navy to utilize the pumping system to irrigate farm lands thereby increasing production of fruit and vegetables to supply the naval base and outgoing ships to North Africa and France. He raised grapefruit, limes, oranges, pineapple, bananas, cucumbers, corn, lettuce, radishes, eggplant, okra, squash, avocados, carrots, cabbage, peppers, string beans, papyas, beats, turnips, tomatoes, watermelon, and cantaloupe.

He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946 and returned home to assist on the family farm and to work for neighbors. During this time, he became a student of the Bible, enrolling in Moody Bible Institute correspondence courses and dedicating his spiritual journey in life to Jesus Christ as his Savior. Dad was always eager to learn and take on new challenges. In addition to the formal training in the Navy, he had learned carpentry and masonry skills from his father, a professional mason.

On Monday, November 1, 1948 – he enrolled in Links School of Business in Pocatello, Idaho, using his GI Bill. On the same day, there was another new student starting her studies:  Ruth Zimmerman from Aberdeen, Idaho. They were married in Aberdeen, Idaho on September 23, 1949. On their honeymoon, they took a road trip to Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Norman’s parents retired from the farm in 1949 and moved to Santa Cruz, CA. Norman and Ruth joined them for the winter, where he worked as an apprentice electrician. In the spring of 1950, he took over operation of the original Heydlauff and Jones homesteads at Roy which he farmed through 2007. They first lived in Roy, then moved to Rockland on a rented irrigated farm and managed a cow/calf beef ranch in 1952 through 1954. During this time, Dad’s civic engagement started to blossom as he was elected president of the local Farm Bureau chapter and served for 3 years.

In 1955, they purchased a farm 3.5 miles northwest of Aberdeen where they raised potatoes, hay, grains, corn silage and established a Grade A dairy and provided an excellent family home environment for their five children. Norman became actively involved in a variety of organizations and was often recognized as a leader and mediator. He was chosen as the Outstanding Young Farmer by Jaycees in 1960; active in Idaho Potato Growers, Inc.; elected to the Board of Directors of Upper Snake River Valley Dairymen (served 6 years, including 5 years as Chair); elected to Aberdeen School District Board (served 7 years, including 5 years as Chair); elected director and Chair, Western General Dairies (served 2 years); elected to local church board of directors and treasurer for over 40 years, served as Sunday School Bible teacher; Chairperson of Community Fund; committeeman for Boy Scouts; committee member of Cache Valley Select Sires; member of American Legion; etc.

While on the farm, he built a 2-bedroom addition to the house and a grade A dairy barn, and he overhauled, rebuilt and repaired equipment—all of which was an opportunity to transfer his skills (carpentry, masonry, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, welding etc.) to his sons.

In 1976, the cows and the irrigated farm in Aberdeen were sold and they built their dream home within the city limits of Aberdeen. Dad continued to operate the dryland farm and soon obtained credentials to be an insurance sales representative for 3 years and a licensed real estate agent for more than 4 years. He then moved on to John Deere machinery sales for 6 years. During this time, he continued to serve in the community, including a term on the Bingham County Planning and Zoning Board.

In 1987, Norman and Ruth joined Roving Volunteers in Christ’s Service (RVICS), traveling up to 6 months each year in pickup and fifth-wheel 35-foot RV trailer, working on more than 70 projects in the western USA. He truly flourished in this environment as it provided him unlimited opportunities to use his jack-of-all-trades skills, including leadership on the RVICS national board of directors and as its chair.

In March 2002, they parked the trailer for the last time as the early signs of Dad’s declining health started to emerge.  However, he still kept busy helping family, neighbors, friends, churches and his community in many handyman projects. In June 2010, they moved to Pasco, WA to be near family.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Ruth, and his five children:  Robert and Linda of Edgewater, FL, grandson Joshua and Caitlin Jones of Watford City, North Dakota and granddaughter Boni and Michael Norton, and great-granddaughter Abigail Norton of Edgewater, FL;  Timothy and Dena of Lapwai, ID, grandson Nathan and BreAnn Jones, great-grandsons Samuel and Daniel of Spokane Valley, WA, granddaughter Wendy and Travis Babb and great-grandson Reese of Potlatch, ID, grandson Andrew and Rebecca Jones of Cheney, WA, and grandson Kaleb Jones of Moscow, ID; Judy and David Belles and granddaughter Melanie Belles of Aloha, OR, and granddaughter Lisa Belles of Moscow, ID; Stanley and Debbie and granddaughter Amanda Jones of Richland, WA, and granddaughter Holly and Jason Rothacker of Seattle, WA; and Daniel and Dana of Salinas, CA.  His sister Vesta M. Jones Johnson Moss of Idaho Falls, ID and his brother Charles W. Jones of Simi Valley, CA and numerous nephews and nieces also survive him.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Eda Mary.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, November 19, 2016 at 11:30 a.m., First Baptist Church, Pasco, WA.

In lieu of flowers, Dad would have preferred that you be a good neighbor to someone in need.