Jay Herbert Jones Jr., 75

Jay Herbert Jones Jr., 75, “is with the Lord.”

He passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2014, in Missoula.

Jay was born on Oct. 22, 1938, the son of Jay and Ellen Jones, in Bruce, Wis. He graduated from Coburg High in Coburg, Ore.; he then enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1956.

Jay married Virginia “Marnea” Barnhart on Oct. 30, 1958, and together they had three children, Virgil in 1960, Troy in 1962, and Sheila in 1963.  They resided in Coburg until 1971 when the family moved to Columbia Falls.

Jay worked in the timber industry his entire career, retiring from Plum Creek as a shipping supervisor. After retirement Jay and Marnea moved to Plains where they resided on the Clark Fork River for 10 years. In 2010 they returned to Columbia Falls.

Jay enjoyed all that Montana’s great outdoors had to offer and was a ruthless card player. Jay was a member of the Christian Missionary Alliance Church for over 30 years, was a member of the Gideon’s and was involved with the children’s ministry of the church.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Carol (Dorry); his son, Virgil; a nephew, and three nieces.

Those he leaves behind are his wife of 55 years, Marnea; brothers, Marden, Dale and Doug; sister, Nancy; son, Troy; daughter, Sheila, her husband Gary Hoblyn; granddaughters, Kristel, Danielle, Jessica, her husband Brad Nieves, and Meghan; grandsons, Jonathan, his wife Karina Ringdahl, Nicholas, his wife Veronika Jones, Josiah and Jacob; daughter-in-law, Peggy; six great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews; and extended families.

Jay was known to all as a soft spoken, patient, non-judgmental man that would do anything for anyone. Despite all of his health issues, Jay never felt sorry for himself or complained. He treasured every second of time spent with family and friends. He touched the lives of all he knew and will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held for Jay at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at the Fellowship Alliance Church in Columbia Falls. Interment will be at the Fairview Cemetery followed by a reception at Fellowship Alliance. In honor of Jay, the family invites everyone to wear jeans and Western attire.

In lieu of flowers or any other gifts of consolation, donations may be sent to Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800; or Fellowship Alliance Church, P.O. Box 148, Columbia Falls, MT 59912 (designate Youth Ministry).

Columbia Mortuary is caring for Jay’s family.