Leland Jones

He was born Dec. 16, 1928, at Meadville, Mo., to Mary Elizabeth (Lisby) Jones and Joseph Grant Jones. The family moved to Siam, Iowa, and he attended country school until moving to Clarinda, Iowa, to attend high school where he met Beverly Coral Williams.

Leland joined the U.S. Navy in November 1948. He served until November 1952.

Leland and Beverly married Feb. 3, 1950, and moved to Newport, Rhode Island, for his naval service. They had their first child in Rhode Island.

The family moved back to the Midwest and had four more children. Upon returning home Leland worked at Brown’s Shoe Store in Clarinda and the power line company putting up poles from Clarinda to Omaha.

They eventually moved to Kansas. Leland held many jobs in his lifetime starting with a newspaper route as a youngster, a gasoline station attendant in high school and worked at a Chevy dealership. Leland also worked at the stockyards and packinghouse in Kansas City, and the Leed’s General Motors plant in Kansas City, Mo. He then began at the Delco-Remy battery plant in Olathe when their doors opened in July 1956 and he retired from there in 1985.

For years Leland had his own appliance repair business for De Soto area residents.

After retirement Leland worked as a meter reader for Olathe Rural Water for about five year.

Leland was a member of the De Soto Methodist Church, De Soto Jaycees, De Soto Lions Club, De Soto Volunteer Fire Department, Antique Motorcycle Club of America – Santa Fe Trail Chapter and De Soto VFW. He helped with the Boy Scouts and the De Soto Food Pantry. Leland had an Indian motorcycle restored and attended several area shows and won several awards.

After retirement Leland and Beverly became Texas Snowbirds by making their part-time home at Harlingen, Texas. They enjoyed their life down there by spending time with many friends while going out to eat, listening to music, finding garage sales, traveling to Mexico and working on jigsaw puzzles.

Their beloved dachshund Holly was able to enjoy life with them and kept Leland and Beverly company.

Leland is preceded in death by his wife Beverly, who died June 29, 2021; his parents; infant daughter Pam; brother and sister-in-law George and Johanna Jones; sister and brother-in-law Gladys and Russell Clymens; brother-in-law James Williams and his wife Dorothy; sister-in-law Bessie Williams and her husband Laverne; and brother-in-law Oliver Herzberg.

He is survived by his children, Ralph and Kim Jones of Lincoln, Mo., Rick Jones of De Soto, Tamaree Jones and Kenny Bedford of De Soto, Terri and Shon Barenklau of Papillion, Neb.; grandchildren, Chad (Jeniffer) Simmons, Cody (Jessica) Simmons, Christopher (Amber) Jones, Ryan (Michelle) Jones, Clinton (Kalli) Hranchak-Jones, Chase (August) Hranchak-Jones, Caleb (Elizabeth) Barenklau, Kelsee (Jake) Hollenbeck; great-grandchildren, Cayden and Cialey Simmons, Cason Simmons, Jaryn, Lynzi and Tynli Jones, Jayden and Zayne Jones, Hayden and Kolby Nash, Brooks Barenklau and Kaisley Hollenbeck; sister-in-law Mary Jo Herzberg of Villisca, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews.

There is a time of Love and Support for the family 5-8 p.m. Friday, March 18, 2022 at McGilley and Frye Funeral Home, 105 E. Loula St., Olathe, Kansas 66061. A private family graveside service will be Saturday, March 19, 2022, at the Clarinda Iowa Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to a charity of your choice in Leland’s name.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.McGilley-Frye.com for the Jones family.