Wayne M. Jones

Wayne M. Jones, of Island City, died Friday, July 22, 2023 at his home in Island City at the age of 95.

A memorial service will be announced later by Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center.

Wayne was born on September 28, 1927, in Spokane, the son of Wallace “Wally” and Susan (Shaffer) Jones.  The family lived in Wenatchee.  Wayne’s mother died when he was only three years old, and he was subsequently raised by his aunts, Myrtle and Estelle.  The family moved to the LA area of California and when Wayne was of age he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during WWII.  After his honorable discharge, while living in Ashland with his aunt, Wayne met Betty Jean Robeson at a sweet shop.  They were married in Enterprise in 1950 at her parents’ home.  They lived in Ashland until the following year when Betty’s mother died and they then moved to Enterprise to help with raising her younger siblings.  Wayne worked for Jack Harmon as a mechanic for his auto dealership.  When Jack Harmon bought a dealership in La Grande, Wayne followed and continued working there until the business sold and he began working for Bob Goss at Gateway Auto where he worked until he retired from, what was then, Tamarack Ford.

Wayne was an active member of the United Methodist Church in La Grande, where people looked forward to his cheerful greeting each Sunday as he was the designated elevator operator for the church.  He was also a member of the Elks Lodge, the Eagles Lodge, American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Everything he belonged to Wayne was involved in and was a tireless volunteer.  He loved hunting, fishing and camping and enjoyed being a state park camp host for many years.

He is survived by his wife of over70 years, Betty of Island City; a daughter Sandra Cook of La Grande; grandchildren Mykel Hansell, Dany Knight, Nikkole Hansell, Carmen Ingerson, William Cook, all of La Grande; great grandchildren, Chevy Easterday of Cove, Joscelin Hafer and Cash Ingerson of La Grande; aunts, including the two who raised him, Myrtle Mitchell and Estelle Crawford, uncles, cousins and other relatives and many friends.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan Schultz.

Contributions in memory of Wayne Jones may be made to your favorite, Eagles Lodge, Elks Lodge, American Legion or VFW.

Thoughts or Condolences may be left at www.danielsknopp.com