Richard Robert Jones

Richard was born in Emmett, Idaho to Robert and Dora (Wright) Jones on March 9th, 1924; the oldest of four children. The family moved to Parma, Idaho in 1925 or 1926. His dad worked for J.G. Beery Farms that had locations in Parma and New Meadows, Idaho. The summers were spent in New Meadows; with his dad delivering lettuce to McCall, Idaho. His sister Lois was born in 1925. Richard and his Lois watched the Meadows Valley Hotel burn down in May of 1929 from their home several miles out of town.

Richard started first grade in September 1930 in New Meadows; continuing his education between there and Cambridge, Idaho. He graduated from Cambridge High School in 1942 as Valedictorian of his class. He wrote two thesis papers; one on Hereford cattle and the other on the "new invention -- the television"!

There were many interesting events in his life from 1930 to 1942, which were the years of the Great Depression. His brother Rex was born in 1930. The family lived in tents in 1932 to 1934 at New Meadows; even in the winter. His job in the summer was hand pumping gas at a Conoco Station his dad built, as well as him and Lois selling one gallon pails of apples to transients for 10 cents a pail. His brother Darrell was born in 1932. Finally, in 1934, they moved into a two story house in Cambridge.

In February of 1943 Richard was drafted into the Army and was honorably discharged in December of 1945. Early in 1946, he made arrangements for Francette Rouxe, whom he met in France, to come to Idaho where they married.

Also in 1946 Richard went to work for the Washington County Assessor in Weiser, Idaho. Their son, Randy, was born in December of 1948. After the Korean started, Richard was called back to active duty in August of 1950 shortly after his wife Francette had died. Richard took his son to live with his parents in Cambridge; Randy was only 20 months old!

Richard was honorably discharged in October of 1951. Upon his return, he went to work for the State of Idaho, Department of Law Enforcement in Boise as a Field Representative to 44 County Sheriffs and 44 County Assessors. He married Goldie Brown from Weiser in December of 1953.

They moved to Weiser in 1955 where he was Chief Deputy at the Washington County Clerk's Office until January of 1959. During this time they bought a farm. In 1959, they sold the farm and bought a ranch. He also began work for Consumers Cooperative in Weiser; staying there until 1979. Richard and Goldie divorced that same year.

Richard married Phyllis Oltman in August of 1982. He worked at the Argus Observer for a number of years before he and Phyllis moved to Ellensburg, Washington in 1992; building a new house in 1994. They enjoyed many day trips to the countryside, rock hounding and sightseeing. Phyllis died in November of 2007.

Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting, fishing, rock hounding and being outdoors. He was also an avid history buff, reading and learning about Idaho, the Pacific Northwest, Native Americans and events around the world.

Richard is survived by his son Randy and his family, as well as his step son Marlin Oltman and his family.