Obituary of John Leo Jones

JOHN LEO JONES John Leo Jones, 63, went home to be with the Lord on November 2, 2008 following a brief bout with cancer. He was born July 8, 1945 in Olympia to Sidney T. and Stella Ann (Ashlock) Jones. John loved life regardless of the challenges he faced. John started his construction business in 1972. Over the years it grew from a concrete business to general contracting as J & J Concrete and Construction. He always took pride in his work and enjoyed working with customers. He was also a member of the Olympia Master Builders. In 1975 John became a member of the Olympia Elks Lodge. Through the years he served on most committees and the Board of Trustees. In 1998 he served his first term as Exalted Ruler and went on to be a Central District Liaison Officer for the State Association. In 2005 he served a second term as Exalted Ruler of the Olympia Lodge. In 1999 John began working with the Thurston County Child Passenger Safety Team. He was committed to working with the team and ensuring child safety in vehicles. He always tried to be there for anyone who needed his help. John loved being around other people. Whether on the job, hunting, fishing, playing cards, or just relaxing with others, he always had a smile and positive attitude for those around him. John is survived by Wendy, his loving and devoted wife of 38 years. He is also survived by his mother, Stella Ann Froeschle: Daughters, Jennifer Lynn Schneider and Terri Lynn Patterson: and son John Michael Jones: brother Sidney Thomas Jones II and sisters Elizabeth Neal, Edith Miller and Theresa Harris; also 13 loving grandchildren. Here are a few stories about John from his mother, Stella…. John, at 8 or 9 tried to catch a trout with a piece of string and safety pin with no luck. A neighbor saw him and gave him a fish hook; he then caught the fish and was very happy. We moved to Tumwater in the spring of 1955. John started to school that year in Tumwater and made a friend very quickly. One day they went fishing on Barnes Lake and you guessed it, they caught fish…catfish! They took them to the house and put the live catfish in the bathtub. When I came home from work he proudly showed me the bathtub of fish, live and flopping. They made quite a mess. Grandpa Ashlock drove down from Tacoma. He killed and cleaned the fish and I took care of the rest. John got in trouble once for diving off rocks at Tumwater Falls Park. His sister tattled on him because he didn’t know how to swim. John’s step-father, Chet, put a stop to his water activities until he learned how to swim. Not wanting to miss out on all the fun, John learned how to swim that summer. John had a little argument with a skunk one night but the skunk won. John took a tomato juice bath after the experience. Needless to say, he was not fond of skunks after that. John was always a hard worker and was never afraid to ask someone for a job. One of his first jobs was selling Spudnut donuts to the legislative employees. He sold more than anyone. Please share with us your stories of John as he had many friends. We know he will be missed by many. I'm Free Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free I’m following the path God laid for me. I took His hand when I heard Him call I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day to laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks undone must stay that way. I found that peace at close of day. If my parting has left a void then fill it with remembered joy. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, ah, yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I’ve savored much, good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch. Perhaps my time seemed all too brief, don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts and share with me God wanted me now: He set me free. Please leave your memoies of John and condolences for the family online by clicking on "View Guestbook" below.