Ted Jones

Husband of Berenice; father of Sharise Jones & Craig Jones; grandfather of Christine, Andrea, Michael & Sharise; great grandfather of Analisa; brother of Mildred Popp. Visitation, Fri, 6-8p, Service, Tues, 2pm both at Olinger Crown Hill, 29th & Wadsworth. Memorials to Horse Protection League, 17999 W. 60th Ave., Golden 80403.

Ted was born to Clara and Theodore Jones. He had two older sisters Midgey and Dorothy whom he adored beyond words.

His family was of modest means which helped Ted become self sufficient in many skill sets.

He completed high school and had a brief period on the rodeo circuit as a cowboy. He would buy cheap cars and turn them into hot rods by working odd jobs, scrounging parts and blacksmithing any parts he could not come by. He raced around north Denver with his life long friends Robert Pierce, Chuck Osborne, and Trooper Hubbard. They were somewhat mischievous and trouble was always on their heals.

He enlisted for service in the Coast Guard during the Korean war. In the service he traveled to many places in the world. Some of his favorite memories were during his time stationed in Alaska. He rebuilt an old World War II jeep he found and would haul his friends to many unusual adventures. This was a time of great fish stories and may have been where he honed incredible poker playing abilities. He also enjoyed racing his 1945 Harley in the California desert when stationed in Long Beach. During the service he worked in the engine room learning about diesel mechanics. He was unable to swim and always swore that not having that skill made him a better sailor because he could not let the ship go down.

He married his soul mate and constant helper Berenice Black in September 1957. He loved her with all his heart through good and bad for the 54 years of their marriage. He had a daughter Sharise in November of 1959 and a son named Craig in March of 1962. Craig had 4 children, Christine in October of 84, Andrea in May of 87, Michael in December of 92 and Sharise Junior in Oct.of 94. Andrea had a great grand child in December of 2007 named Analisa.

After his marriage he started a career as a lab technician at Sun Strand helping to create a soloar dish. This appaled to the science side of his intellect and he would have continued in the research field but the company moved from his beloved Colorado. He switched to working as a diesel truck mechanice where he excelled. He became foreman at Mack Trucks and also worked at Asphalt Paving. He was dedicated to his to his work and long hours of labor provided for his family. He received many calls through out the years at his home, even after his retirement, asking questions on how to fix trucks. He mentored his son Craig and his grandson Michail and they are following in his foot steps.

He was a loving father and grandfather. Ted enjoyed his nephews and niecies and always enjoyed playing and spending time with them. He had a child-like side to him that made him fun and engaging for kids. Ted was also a great story teller although they were of the tall tail sort. He would actively invest his time and energies in making a good childhood for his son and daughter including building a log cabin play house, maintaining horses and countless bikes, minibikes and motor cycles.

He loved to hunt, fish and camp. He had an intimate knowledge of all the family and friend’s cars. He was the guy you called when you had a problem. There were few things he was unable to repair or fix. He could fix a car or build a house and anything in-between. Berenice’s dad Eugene Black owning a ranch in Steamboat would always have his farm equipment lined out for Ted when he would arrived on many weekends and vacations. He would repair the equipment within his Father Inlaw’s budget meaning using a lot of bailing wire, spit and hand made parts.

He had a deep appreciation for the cowboy way and worked hard haying and taking care of stock on his 2 acres as well at the Steamboat ranch. He liked western movies and novels and enjoyed an extensive collection of guns.

Ted collected a lot of stuff (some call junk) that he considered treasure. If there was a need for some type of repair he would look around in his sheds and property until he found something that would fit the bill. He always used things until there was nothing left to use and then figure out a way to get a little more.

He had a keen sense of humor and always had a joke to tell. You could often find him on the back patio with a group of friends and family having a beer. When ever you came to visit he would offer the visitor(s) a beer. Many people were attracted to Ted because of his easy going personality and his non-judgmental ways. You could tell Ted anything and he would keep a good secret and give excellent advice. Ted is loved and admired by his family and many friends.