Obituary, Lester Alvin Jones "Jonesy", 100

Lester passed away August 30, 2015, in Morgantown, West Virginia, with his partner of 40 years, Joyce Bryner, by his side. In March 2015, Lester turned 100 years old and many family members and friends traveled to West Virginia, to help him celebrate.

He was born in Whitney, Nebraska on March 24, 1915 to Harry L. and Teresa (Blust) Jones. Most of his life was spent in West Seattle, Washington, where he worked for Red, White & Blue Fuel, before starting his own business, Les Jones Oil Burner Service, plus helping raise his daughters. Later on in life he moved to Wrangell and worked at the local mill, until his retirement, all the while enjoying fishing and trapping, plus hunting up the Stikine River with new found friends, Bill Overbay and Bally Bigelow, plus watching Joyce's son David compete in the High School wrestling program.

From the farms of Nebraska to the hills of South Dakota (with a proud service in CC Camp, working on the Mt Rushmore Monument) to the Blue Skies of Seattle and the cold water of Alaska, then onto Missouri, South Carolina and finally to Elkins, West Virginia – a road well traveled.

He also coached a women's softball team, Powder Puffs, while in Wrangell. He had lots of stories to tell and he enjoyed cooking Sunday dinners. He cherished having family close and enjoyed taking them fishing, whenever anybody came to visit him in Wrangell.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sharon.

He is survived by partner Joyce Bryner, daughters Michelle Jones, Yvonne Larsen, Anne (Dan) Whitehurst, Randi Sue (Phil) Inman, stepson David (LeAnn) Bryner, stepdaughters Joan (Tim) Jellison and Kelly Butts, plus 13 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, a brother Wayne, and many nieces and nephews.

Lester's ashes will be spread on August 13, 2016, in the morning, on the Stikine River. A potluck reception will be held at 3 p.m., August 13, 2016 at Rayme's Bar.