1913
Morris
2016
Morris B. Jones
August 19, 1913 — January 26, 2016
LIFE STORY OF MORRIS BERNS JONES
August 13, 1913 - January 26, 2016
What can you say about Dad that everyone doesn't already know. He was a man of honor, integrity, love, hope and had a giving heart. He was always there to help. He had the skills to fix anything and always had an answer for you.
He was born in Willowhill, Illinois to William W. Jones & Elizabeth Martha Sims Jones. He had two sisters, Orpha Marie Jones and Ruth "Vivian" Jones. When he was just a baby his parents, along with several other family members homesteaded in northern Alberta, Canada, about 100 miles north of Edmonton. There they farmed for 12 years enduring many hardships but many happy years. When Morris was only 7 years old, he had a trap line out through the woods trapping rabbit, weasel and even a few mink. He would dry the hides so they could be sold. We found two of his traps when we went to Canada in 1989 and found the cabin his Dad built in 1914.
The family moved to Oregon in the mid 20's where he attended school in Portland. As a young boy & man he had many jobs - from selling newspapers on the street corner as a kid, working on a large farm in south Salem area, raising onions in Gaston, transporting new cars from the Chicago area to Portland, working on a ranch in South Dakota and ultimately as a mechanic for 40 years with his final job as a RV technician for almost 20 years.
Dad entered the US Army in 1940 and soon transferred to the Army Air Corps. He wanted to fly but at age 28 was told he was too old. While stationed at Shepherd Field in Wichita Falls, Texas, a friend introduced him to the love of his life, Mildred Archer who lived in a nearby town. They had a whirlwind courtship that lasted until her passing after 63 years of marriage. After WWII, they settled in Oregon but he promised Mildred he would take her home every other year to visit her family and he kept that promise.
Morris & Mildred had two children, Linda Gail (Lynn) and Barry. In 1947 they bought a house in Four Corners in the Salem area. It was finished on the outside but only had wall studs on the inside. They worked for a year wiring, putting up sheetrock, and all the rest to finish their first home. He did that after he would work all day at his regular job. Over the years they spent many hours with family and friends. They enjoyed traveling and after retirement spent several winters in Arizona with friends all living in RVs.
In 2005 Mildred passed away from Alzheimer's. He took care of her for 8 years before she had to go to a care home. They had moved to Silverton in 1998 to be closer to family due to her illness. He lived with David & Lynn until his passing.
If you ever had a project for which you needed help, Dad was always there. One time when David & Lynn were building a pole barn, there were a lot of rocks in the holes for the posts so he got down in a 4' deep hole & hoisted rocks up to Lynn to dump. He was in his 70's. There was never a job someone needed help with that he didn't volunteer to do. Even in his 90's he was still mowing the lawn.
Dad would never let anyone pay for a meal unless they got sneaky and took the bill before he saw it. His favorite thing to do was to tell the waitress or waiter, "Please, give me the bill" when the meal was ordered.
All the children who knew him called him Grandpa Morris. He took his time to listen to them and would always give them his advice, "Always let the Good Lord be your guide."
His life was long and full. There are so many stories he told about living in the wilds of Canada, his days working on various jobs, his hobbies over the years such as driving sprint cars, boxing, hunting, fishing and even riding a bucking bronc in a rodeo and winning a belt buckle. He really enjoyed hunting, fishing & camping trips with his kids and other family members and friends. He got his last deer at age 91.
He was especially proud of his service to his country. He always wore his baseball cap that said World War II Veteran, Served With Pride. Between regular & inactive reserves he served for 12 years. He always appreciated it when someone would come up, shake his hand and thank him for his service. He would thank them & say, "I'd do it all again."
He was very proud of his country, his family, his friends and loved being a Christian. Even when he felt he could no longer attend church, he would listen to his favorite gospel music on Sunday mornings.
He will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
Children: David & Lynn Jenks Barry & Lori Jones
Grandchildren: Rick & Adria Kassell, Dwayne Jenks, Tim & Jemma Jones, Lea & Chad Everett, Terrie Beckman, Vickie & Les Merle and Kelly & Donna Jenks
12 great-grandchildren & 7 great-great-grandchildren
August 13, 1913 - January 26, 2016
What can you say about Dad that everyone doesn't already know. He was a man of honor, integrity, love, hope and had a giving heart. He was always there to help. He had the skills to fix anything and always had an answer for you.
He was born in Willowhill, Illinois to William W. Jones & Elizabeth Martha Sims Jones. He had two sisters, Orpha Marie Jones and Ruth "Vivian" Jones. When he was just a baby his parents, along with several other family members homesteaded in northern Alberta, Canada, about 100 miles north of Edmonton. There they farmed for 12 years enduring many hardships but many happy years. When Morris was only 7 years old, he had a trap line out through the woods trapping rabbit, weasel and even a few mink. He would dry the hides so they could be sold. We found two of his traps when we went to Canada in 1989 and found the cabin his Dad built in 1914.
The family moved to Oregon in the mid 20's where he attended school in Portland. As a young boy & man he had many jobs - from selling newspapers on the street corner as a kid, working on a large farm in south Salem area, raising onions in Gaston, transporting new cars from the Chicago area to Portland, working on a ranch in South Dakota and ultimately as a mechanic for 40 years with his final job as a RV technician for almost 20 years.
Dad entered the US Army in 1940 and soon transferred to the Army Air Corps. He wanted to fly but at age 28 was told he was too old. While stationed at Shepherd Field in Wichita Falls, Texas, a friend introduced him to the love of his life, Mildred Archer who lived in a nearby town. They had a whirlwind courtship that lasted until her passing after 63 years of marriage. After WWII, they settled in Oregon but he promised Mildred he would take her home every other year to visit her family and he kept that promise.
Morris & Mildred had two children, Linda Gail (Lynn) and Barry. In 1947 they bought a house in Four Corners in the Salem area. It was finished on the outside but only had wall studs on the inside. They worked for a year wiring, putting up sheetrock, and all the rest to finish their first home. He did that after he would work all day at his regular job. Over the years they spent many hours with family and friends. They enjoyed traveling and after retirement spent several winters in Arizona with friends all living in RVs.
In 2005 Mildred passed away from Alzheimer's. He took care of her for 8 years before she had to go to a care home. They had moved to Silverton in 1998 to be closer to family due to her illness. He lived with David & Lynn until his passing.
If you ever had a project for which you needed help, Dad was always there. One time when David & Lynn were building a pole barn, there were a lot of rocks in the holes for the posts so he got down in a 4' deep hole & hoisted rocks up to Lynn to dump. He was in his 70's. There was never a job someone needed help with that he didn't volunteer to do. Even in his 90's he was still mowing the lawn.
Dad would never let anyone pay for a meal unless they got sneaky and took the bill before he saw it. His favorite thing to do was to tell the waitress or waiter, "Please, give me the bill" when the meal was ordered.
All the children who knew him called him Grandpa Morris. He took his time to listen to them and would always give them his advice, "Always let the Good Lord be your guide."
His life was long and full. There are so many stories he told about living in the wilds of Canada, his days working on various jobs, his hobbies over the years such as driving sprint cars, boxing, hunting, fishing and even riding a bucking bronc in a rodeo and winning a belt buckle. He really enjoyed hunting, fishing & camping trips with his kids and other family members and friends. He got his last deer at age 91.
He was especially proud of his service to his country. He always wore his baseball cap that said World War II Veteran, Served With Pride. Between regular & inactive reserves he served for 12 years. He always appreciated it when someone would come up, shake his hand and thank him for his service. He would thank them & say, "I'd do it all again."
He was very proud of his country, his family, his friends and loved being a Christian. Even when he felt he could no longer attend church, he would listen to his favorite gospel music on Sunday mornings.
He will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him.
Children: David & Lynn Jenks Barry & Lori Jones
Grandchildren: Rick & Adria Kassell, Dwayne Jenks, Tim & Jemma Jones, Lea & Chad Everett, Terrie Beckman, Vickie & Les Merle and Kelly & Donna Jenks
12 great-grandchildren & 7 great-great-grandchildren
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Morris B. Jones, please visit our flower store.
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