James V Jones, Sr

James Venton Jones, Sr. was born August 14, 1915, in Neosho Falls, Kansas. He grew up in Oregon with his sister, Irene, where they would visit their grandmother on Sundays for dinner. His parents, Jeffrey V. Jones and Jennie Mae Warden had a meat market where James worked before joining the U.S. Navy. James was stationed in Hawaii during the attack on Pearl Harbor. With his first wife, Norma, James served a mission for the LDS Church on an Indian Reservation for 10 years. James and Norma had four children; Judy A. Gutierrez of New Mexico, Linda Lou Neville of Wyoming, Peggy Sue Jones of California and James V. Jones, Jr of California. James and Norma also served many years as temple workers in the Los Angeles Temple.

Years after Norma passed away, James married Maria Amalia Galan on September 25, 1993. Together they served as temple workers in the San Diego Temple for six years and they were sealed there for time and eternity on June 28, 2003. Amalia has seven children from her previous marriage; Michael A. Simpson of Oregon, Dolores M. Mannis of California, Amalia E. Jeperson of California, G. Amber Henderson of California, Joseph A. Simpson, of California, Carlos J. Simpson of South Korea and Pedro A. Simpson of Virginia.

James read the scriptures daily and knew them backwards and forwards. He wrote in his journal regularly. He loved to paint animals and Amalia took up painting because of him. He insisted on always doing the dishes for Amalia and continued until he was physically unable. James had a great sense of humor. Whenever they would arrive home, James would ask Amalia to check the answering machine and when there were no mesages, he would say "Nobody loves me, everybody hates me, I guess I'll go eat worms; big fat juicy ones, little short slimy ones, any old kind that'll squirm." James was very courteous and apologetic, always concerned for others before himself.

Arrangements were entrusted to Weaver Mortuary, Beaumont, California.