Daniel M. Jones 1922 - 2019

Daniel M. Jones passed away Sept. 21, following a cardiac event.
 He was born on June 8, 1938 in Terra Haute, Indiana, to Thomas Edgar Jones and Margaret McNamara McGuire.
 As a young boy the family moved to Rockville, Indiana. He worked the farm with his Dad and brother Tom.
 Dan loved to tell stories of the high jinks they, the family and friends, pulled on each other.
 The hard farm work and natural athletic ability enabled him to excel in football, basketball and his favorite baseball, earning him several sports scholarships. Dan earned a full scholarship to Purdue University as the Junior Dairyman four years in a row.
 Dan chose to serve his country by enlisting in the Army serving in the 101st Airborne Division.
 After completing his commitment to his country he moved to California to be with his family. There he met and married Clarene Roukema.
 To this union were born four children. The last being a huge surprise, twins, a boy and girl.
 True to Dan’s style he led a very active life, loving fishing both salt and fresh, camping, water skiing, barefoot and regular, and bajaing. He also played sports for his church.  
 Dan had an uncanny skill as a mechanic, both building and racing cars and boats. He drove truck hauling meat and milk for 23 years, allowing him to provide a private education for his children.
 He became concerned crime was becoming too close to his children. So to follow his dream and protect his family they moved to Idaho to start a dairy farm.
 Dan continued the tradition of privately educating his children and of course bragging about their athletic abilities.
 Mountain lions started harvesting his baby calves leading to a gun accident severely injuring his right hand. After months of treatment and a divorce he was forced to sell his beloved herd.
 Dan moved around for a few years ending up in Donnelly, Idaho. One fine fall day returning home the
local Head Start teacher backed out in front of him. Looking for something to keep himself busy he started volunteering at the Head Start Center. He put together tables, desks and playground equipment as well as a relationship with the same teacher.
 He remarried, marrying Nancy Nau on Nov. 25, 1991.
 He spent the next 28 years roaming the forest and restoring an old farm house. Dan and his wife served as campground hosts at Kennally Creek for a number of years. True to himself he remained active, learning to adapt tools for his injured hand. Using his mechanic abilities he turned to making wooden models of heavy equipment.  
 He is survived by his wife Nancy, stepson James Paul Nau and family, three daughters Stephanie, Suzi, and Stacie, one son Steven Jones, three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
 Services will be held at the Emmett Cemetery on Oct. 10 at 10:30 a.m.