Joseph W Jones

“SMOKY THE TRAIN MAN”

Smoky Jones of Antioch was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on November 14, 1923 to parents Carlton and Trena Green Jones. While growing up, he was very interested in Astronomy and he built his first telescope when he was in high school. Other hobbies included a love of photography and wood carving he learned while in Hawaii.

Smoky was in Pearl Harbor as a Merchant Marine when it was bombed in 1941. Upon returning to the mainland he joined the Navy and served in World War II in the South Pacific.

Upon returning to family and friends in Boise, Idaho he worked for the Idaho Power Company in Boise where he met and married his wife, Jody (Jo Ellen), in 1952. They moved to Antioch in 1956 where Smoky found work at the new DuPont Plant for 26 years until retiring in 1982. He was an avid volunteer with wife Jody for the Cancer Society, the Contra Costa Food Bank and the Historical Society.

Smoky loved trains all his life and he built an extensive model train layout in his home. He received the special Golden Spike Award in 1987 for his outstanding layout and train collection. For over 30 years, visitors were welcomed to see the trains operate. Smoky especially enjoyed running the trains for the Boy Scouts, neighbors and friends and was featured in several news articles and a video about trains.

In 2003 Smoky was nominated for Citizen of the Year for his volunteer work at Delta Learning Center, Animal Shelter, Riverview Garden Club and the Antioch Historical Society. Smoky enjoyed being a docent at the museum with wife Jody, and playing the antique pianos for visitors. For many years he enjoyed being an aide for Senator Tom Torlakson at the Joint Government Center in Antioch.

Smoky’s big back yard was modeled after an Oakland park and included real train Wig Wags waiting for the next train to come through. Smoky liked working jig saw puzzles of trains, riding trains, and spending time with his family, friends and cat. Always the train man and electrician , he rewired the Red Caboose on Fulton Shipyard Road and helped friend, Jim Boccio, restore the caboose.

Smoky was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Dickie Joe Jones, two sisters, Donna Covert and Frances Jorgenson, and his devoted wife of 60 years, Jody Jones. He is survived by a daughter, Marsha Habberstad (Gary), granddaughters Sherrie Silvio, Sheila Beaver and Jody Jones, all of the St. Maries area of Idaho; Sister In-law, Betty Berg of Pacheco and many nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends Nancy Ross, Diana Torlakson, and Elizabeth Rimbault.

Smoky was a member of the LDS Church. At his request, no service will be held now, however, a celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations to the Antioch Historical Society Museum in Smoky’s name are greatly appreciated. We thank you for your prayers.