Obituary of Larry D. Jones

Born in Tucson, AZ to Otto Jones and Maybelle Jones, who both preceded him in death. He leaves behind a loving wife of 20 plus years Suzie Jones; Son Tony Jones, wife Ginger; Son Chris Jones; Daughter Misty Allred and husband Darrell; Son Rob Marable; Daughter Marlo Bender and husband Joshua; and Brothers Stan Jones and Kenny Jones. He has a total of 8 grandchildren: C.J., Dustin, Brandi, Randi, Rodney, Aidan, Emery and Bryton and 5 great grandchildren: Jazmine, Gage, Jake, Brooke and Jace. His Dad died when he was young. His Mom raised three boys by herself-which was very uncommon for the times and, unlike today, single parenting was usually only due to being a widow. He was a constant prankster and joker. He loved making people laugh and had a canny ability to find a way to play on words or create humor from any situation or conversation. The joke would come out with a pokerfaced expression and it would take people a bit to realize that he was joking or to actually get the joke; then the combo humor and revelation would really get the laughs. Maybelle was very proud of him on May 28, 1962, when he joined the U.S. ARMY and set out for boot camp. He traveled many places overseas while serving our country. Chris was born in Germany while Larry was stationed there. He was a track and wheel vehicle mechanic, drove the heavy cargo trucks, guarded Hitler's caves that were extensive throughout Germany and was a prison guard at Fort Ord in Monterey Bay, California upon returning to the states during his last portion of military service. He then studied criminal law at Long Beach City College thinking he wanted to be a cop. He would have been great because he could really read people well. After serving in the ARMY, he moved back to Colorado. He was a salesman of batteries for underground mining vehicles. Gas powered vehicles could not be used in the tunnels because of the carbon monoxide emissions. I guess you could say these were the first hybrid vehicles and he sold the batteries that made them go. He was an independent truck driver for many years. His handle was "goat roper"-which reminds us of a great story he liked to tell that involved a goat. He became a single parent (no not because he was a widow). They ended up with a baby goat that the boys really wanted to keep. He expressed his opposite desires but caved with the understanding that they would be caring for the creature or it goes. One morning he got up to find Chris sitting on the couch, watching TV and eating a bowl of cereal; the milk bottle for the baby goat was stuffed in between two couch cushions and Barney was eating his breakfast too. This was a sight. Barney the goat lived in the Jones' house until he ate the neighbor's roses. Barney was given to a rodeo clown. Larry rodeo'd bareback. He was thought to be too "old" to just start riding, but it didn't matter to him. He didn't care what people thought. He roamed Arizona, New Mexico and Texas going to rodeos. He settled in Texas for a while using his military experience, working on heavy equipment and trucks. It didn't take him long to realize there was more money to be made in driving. He told his boss he wanted to drive under the muse that he know how, when in fact he didn't. He took a few impromptu lessons from a friend, got his license and started out. He bought his own truck and was hauling coast to coast. Chris was living in New Mexico and after a visit, Larry moved here too. He decided to really roost, so he sold his semi and started looking for another livelihood. He and the boys settled on a mesa of wide open space, peace and cheap living. The property was very easy on the pocket book-which you know he was a frugal man. Chris and Tony met a lady bartender and set their Dad up with her. He thought she was a b….h and she thought he as an a…h..e. He rode with her in her open air 1979 Jeep with a V8 engine that she drove fast and well. Scared him to death; after the drive he said â€