David Wayne Jones

Elwood Jones was raised in Billings, MT. Dave passed away suddenly on January 1, 2023. He attended

schools in Billings and graduated from Billings Senior High in 1977. He attended Concordia College in

Moorhead, MN where he was a member of the 1978 NAIA National Championship football team and

graduated in the fall of 1982. The following fall he enrolled in the University of Montana School of Law

and graduated in 1986. He married Kris Dalthorp in 1984 and they were married for 31 years. Soon after

law school Dave’s first born, Thor, arrived in 1987. Dave worked in the legal field for a couple years and

ended up with a career in school finance. He was the Business Manager and High School football coach

in Richey, MT for three years. Dave’s second child, Britta, made her way into his life in 1989. They

moved to Wyoming and he worked his way up in the field and continued to coach football in Meeteetse

and Ranchester, WY, for the next seven years. During that time his youngest child, Sonja, was born in

1992. In 1997, he was hired in Kodiak, AK, and packed up the family for a 25-year Alaskan adventure

where he served as the Director of Finance for Kodiak Island Borough School District for ten years. He

then moved to the Kenai Peninsula in 2007 and served 14 years as Assistant Superintendent of Schools

for Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.

Dave participated in many clubs and service organizations and earned many accolades for his efforts. In

Alaska he belonged to Kodiak Lions Club, American Heart Association, Alaska Association of School

Business Officials a.k.a. ALASBO, AML/JIA, all of which he became President of at some point. He was

chair of the Legal Aspects Committee with the American School Business Officials, ASBO, and was

awarded an ASBO International EAGLE award and went to D.C. to receive the award. One of his most

proud accomplishments was to start the Kodiak Football League with a compadre, Doug Letch, in 1999.

Together they started the league at the elementary level and expanded each year until 2007 when as the

offensive coordinator the Kodiak High School team reached the State championship game. When

considering moving to Kodiak, Thor asked how the football team was, he responded "well son… we are

gonna have to figure that out." His son was not going to grow up without that opportunity.

Family was paramount in Dave’s life. He loved his three children and three grandchildren dearly. After

retirement from the KPBSD in June of 2021, he moved to North Carolina to be near and help out with his

granddaughters. He was an avid fisherman, instructed at an early age by his beloved “Grandad” Gordon

Fargo in all areas of life, fishing and otherwise. This sparked a passion that spanned his lifetime from fly

fishing in the Beartooths in Montana, to trolling for kings and drifting for Kenai rainbows in Alaska. He

wouldn't climb a mountain unless there were fish at the top. He also loved hunting, golf, and poker. All of

these activities were most enjoyed with family, passing down knowledge and traditions that live on. He

had a huge heart and always reached out to those in need. He put others before himself, had an eye for

what was needed, and jumped right in when a crisis arose. Dave was coined "Larger than Life'' with his

big heart, infectious laugh, teddy bear personality, and Grizzly bear hugs. He made and kept many

incredible friends as he moved around through his life.

He was a lifelong Montana Griz fan but his loyalty was softening and his kids want to note that he died in

his Bobcat sweatshirt. He will be sorely missed.

Survivors include his three children, Thor Jones (Kristen Gentry), Britta Jones, Sonja Jones Jenko (Sam

Maslonkowski Jenko); three grandchildren, Skadi Jones, Merida Jones and George Jenko. Brothers Jeff

Jones (Laurie Jones), Bill Jones (Karen Jones), half sisters Kathy Gabbert Williams and Jeanne Jones.

Nieces Tasha Williams, Lily Stalnaker, Christy Johnson Shepherd, Sarah Johnson Cook, Julie Johnson

and nephews Jacob Williams, Justin Williams, Jay Johnson, Matt Dalthorp, Mark Dalthorp. He was

preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Gabbert; step father, Warren Gabbert; Grandad, Gordon Fargo;

and Grandma, Katherine Fargo.

His legacy will be remembered by so many. His unique character and sense of humor will endure in the

memories of all who loved him. His life ended too soon. We carry him in our hearts and lives.

Dave will be cremated and his ashes spread with his predecessors. A memorial service will take place at

11am on Sunday, January 8th at Clifton E French Regional Park, Oakwood Room, 12605 Rockford Road,

Plymouth, MN 55441.

In lieu of flowers, please consider gifts to either of the following organizations:

Montana Trout Unlimited

To protect and restore special places like the East Rosebud and ensure that Dave’s Grandkids can

continue the family fishing tradition for decades to come. Gifts can be made online

www.montanatu.org, by calling 406-543-0054, or via check delivered to:

MTU

PO Box 7186

Missoula, MT 59807

The Alaska Association of School Business Officials (ALASBO)

To support Dave’s passion for education in Alaska by contributing to their student scholarship

program. Gifts can be made via check sent to:

ALASBO

600 Barrow St., #603

Anchorage, AK 99501

For any donations made in his honor, please include Dave Jones in the comments or check memo.

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