Surrounded by family, Thomas Griffith Jones passed away from his battle with cancer on July 1, 2014 at his home on Pine Creek in Tonasket.

Tom was born to Evan and Ruth Jones on May 18, 1927 on Happy Hill in Conconully. The family moved to Worley, Idaho in 1930, then back to Okanogan County in 1936 where Tom lived the remainder of his life.

He served in the Army from 1945 through 1946 and loved to tell stories of his time in South America. Tom married Dolores J. Anderson on May 23, 1952, and together as a couple they raised seven children on the Jones family’s cattle ranch on Pine Creek. Tom was a lifelong farmer, rancher and mechanic. He was also a truck driver, logger, and retired after 10 years from the Department of Natural Resources where he was a heavy equipment operator. He was a member of the Steamfriend Association, Inland Steam Buff Association, American Legion, Grange and The Cattleman’s Association.

Tom had a passion for agriculture and old tractors. He and his family enjoyed their time hosting the Jones Family Threshing Bee until the late 1980’s. The steam engines remain on display at the ranch. Tom found great joy in tinkering on old tractors, engines, and equipment, and especially loved showing them off at the Okanogan County Fair. He loved to visit about equipment and share memories of old times.

Tom’s greatest delights were his grandchildren and great grandchildren. The more kids around him, the happier he was. He took great pride in his family and his heritage. Tom knew no stranger and his kindness welcomed many friends and neighbors into the family. In later years, Tom enjoyed watching the deer, cattle, and wildlife with his binoculars alongside his special dog Charlie. He never lost interest in what was going on with his family or the ranch.

Tom is survived by his loving wife Dolores; sons Bob, Ted (Carin), Tom (Debbi), and Steve (Rhonda); daughters Lori (Wayne) Ayers, Vicki (Kelvin) Davis, and Cindy (Dale) Byers; brothers Charles (Pee Wee) Jones and Bill Jones; sisters Frankie Fowler, Shirley Thompson, and Margaret Johnson; 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Tom is preceded in death by his parents; brothers John (Jack) and Lewis; sister Marge; and special Aunt Lillian Hawkins.

Services for Tom will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, July 11, 2014 at Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel on Elmway in Okanogan, followed by a graveside service at Riverside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to the U.S. Armed Forces Legacy (PO Box 854, Tonasket, WA. 98855) or a charity of your choosing.

Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel is in care of the arrangements.