John Charles Jones

John Charles Jones (known by his fellow workers as J.C.) was fatally injured in a head-on motorcycle accident at Deadwood, Meade County, South Dakota on August 9. He had gone to the Sturgis Motorbike Rally and was coming back from sightseeing on what is known as Rainbow Curve, a deadly stretch of highway. He collided with another cyclist. John was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho, September 15, 1944. He was the third child of Lyndon D. and Erma L. Heaps Jones. He grew up in Rigby and has remained there all of his life. He attended schools there graduating from Rigby High School in 1962 after which he attended Ricks College (BYU-I), Idaho State University and the University of Idaho. He worked at Idaho Fresh Pak of Lewisville for many years after which he has been employed as a mechanic first class at BBW-INEEL for over thirty years. All of his buddies at work have said he would be terribly missed as he was a perfectionist in his work, knowledgeable, as well as fun to be around. Laughing was a great joy to him. He could be heard all around. From the time he was a small boy he always had a dog for a pet. His purebred “Rocky” will be at a loss for his master. He liked all kinds of sports and he never missed a Rigby Basketball game always cheering them on. He loved hunting, bow hunting, fly fishing, where he was a master at making his own fly rods and tying flies with the best of them. He had given many classes in the art of fly tying to sportsmen in the area. Camping and Dutch oven cooking was also a fun pastime for him. Harley riding had fast become his favorite and he was so proud to show his new bike to everyone in and around Rigby. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in the Elders Quorum as a teacher and home teacher. In the late sixties he went to Vietnam with the Rigby National Guard 116th Engineers. He was always so proud of the fact that as a platoon Staff Sergeant, with over thirty-five soldiers he didn’t lose a one, “bringing them all home” unharmed. He loved his country and was grateful to serve and remained true to the cause to the end. He married Teresa McManigal and they later divorced. He is survived by a daughter, Rita Marie (Darrell) Nickerson of Kennewick, Washington; and a son, Theron Noble (Annette) Jones of Prosser, Washington. One brother, Robert I (LaVina) Jones II; and one sister, Helen Marie (Roy) Fife, both of Idaho Falls. One grandson, Cody; and two granddaughters, Laekynn and Macy. Also three married nephews Bob (Earlene) Jones; Steven (Karrie) Jones; Greg (Debbie) Fife; and three married nieces Lisa (Lester) Hanks; Allyson (Keith) Walker; and Stefani (Cory) Cook; and many great nieces and nephews. Both parents proceeded him in death. We love you and are proud of you. Doing what you liked best, “Having that one last ride”. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 17, in the East Rigby Stake Center with Bishop David Briggs officiating. The family will visit with friends and family from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Monday, August 16, at Eckersell Memorial Chapel in Rigby and one hour before services at the Stake Center. Burial will be in the Rigby Pioneer Cemetery.