Humphrey Ellis Jones

Mr. Jones was born June 2, 1918, to Charles and Florence Darmon Jones on their dairy farm in Boone County, Illinois. His farm upbringing underscored the importance of thinking innovatively, stretching oneself to try new things, and the value of plain hard work. These lessons with the values learned from his parents of integrity, fair-mindedness, and love of family were what shaped his life and influenced him as a businessman and community leader.

Mr. Jones graduated from high school and college in northern Illinois before joining the U.S. Navy in 1942 during WWII. He was assigned to Naval Intelligence with training in Chicago, New York and Washington, D.C. He was stationed at a submarine supply base in French Morocco for two years and was honorably discharged from the navy in l946.

In 1948 , he married Irene James in Chicago. Irene's father and his father were boyhood classmates and friends and emigrated to America from Wales on the same ship in 1904. In 1953 Mr. Jones and Irene moved to Circle, Montana, where Ellis was manager of Mid Rivers Telephone Cooperative. He was manager during its initial stages of development. Under his supervision right-of-way easements were obtained and several hundred miles of telephone line were constructed. During this time a modern office building was constructed by the telephone company in Circle. Mid Rivers serves 30,000 square miles in eastern Montana and Western North Dakota and is the largest land mass telephone cooperative in the Continental U.S.

In l956, through thrift and hard work, he was able to resign his position at Mid Rivers and buy majority stock in the First National Bank of Wibaux, Montana. This was a big step for him as he had never worked in a bank. Mr. Jones was not afraid to work hard or to try something new. His hard work, long hours and resourcefulness paid off and in 1967 he purchased majority stock in the First National Bank of Ekalaka, Montana. He and Irene were Montana bank directors and owners for over 50 years. He served on various state and national banking committees and was very active in community organizations.

While living in Wibaux Mr. Jones spearheaded a drive to construct a nursing home; on August 24, l975 a forty bed facility was dedicated. He and Irene served as officers and bank directors in Montana for over 50 years. He sold the last of his bank stock in 2009 and his ranching interests in 2002. He enjoyed restoring and preserving antique cars. Mr. Jones also donated the land for Wibaux's first community swimming pool.

Ellis is survived by his wife of 64 years, Irene, and three children: Owen (and wife Jerianne) Jones of Lakewood, Colorado; Gwen (and husband Harvey) Johnson, Lakewood; and Darci Tyson of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Ellen Jones Stegbauer in 2005 and a son-in-law, Mark Tyson in 2008. Private family services were conducted at Crown Hill Cemetery Chapel on Tuesday, October 23 by the Rev. Dr. Betty Bradford with internment in Crown Hill Cemetery, Lakewood.