Family visitation for Lester L. “Butch” Jones, of Ardmore, Okla., was held Thursday, July 17, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Harvey-Douglas Funeral Home in Ardmore. Interment took place at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 21, 2014, at the Rangely Cemetery in Rangely, Colo.
Butch was born Feb. 24, 1937, in Ada, Okla., to Jefferson Davis “J.D.” and Clara Cecile (Flaniken) Jones. He died on Monday morning, July 14, 2014, at his Ardmore residence.
Butch had attended elementary schools in Fittstown, Okla., and Casper and Riverton, Wyo., before becoming a 1955 graduate of Rangely High School. He spent two years at Colorado University in Gunnison, Colo.,
Butch married the former Gailen J. Fullenwider on Dec. 22, 1962, in Rangely. He worked in the oil industry his entire life. Butch was a member of the Elks Lodge from 1959 to 1969. After being married, Butch and Gailen were transferred to Roosevelt, Utah, where they worked and lived for three years. They were then transferred with the oil industry to Vernal, Utah, where he worked for two years before returning to Ardmore to start his own business. He and a good friend started Jones and Pierce Drill Collar Service in 1977, and Butch later became the sole owner of Jones Drill Collar Service.
Butch had a wonderful sense of humor and loved practical jokes and laughing. He made everyone he met feel loved and welcome. He had a best friend and companion in his pet boxer, Leroy, whom he enjoyed taking for daily drives to get the paper and check on the boys at the shop each morning.
Butch delighted in seeing his children and grandchildren and teaching them how to have a sense of humor and wit as well as honesty and a respect for others. He loved the Old West and was an avid reader.
He was preceded in death by: his father, Jefferson Davis Jones; his mother, Clara Cecile Flaniken Jones Reigh; a son, Kenneth Dean Jones; a daughter, Lezlie Lou Jones; and a grandmother, Jewel L. Flaniken.
Butch is survived by: his wife, Gailen Jones, of the home; daughter Tracy Jones Edwards and husband Jim of Roosevelt, Utah; son Mike Jones and wife Amy of Ardmore; grandchildren MacKenzie Jones of Roosevelt, Utah and Justin Jones, Madison Jones and Candice Jones, all of Ardmore, Cicile Edwards Rios and husband Alfredo and Adam Edwards, all of Roosevelt, Meagan Edwards of St. George, Utah, and Ace McHatton of Madill, Okla; and great-grandchildren, Bridger Jenkins, Boston Dean Jones, Isabel, Ethan, Isaac and Eli Rios, all of Roosevelt.
Casket bearers were Mike Jones, Justin Jones, Frank Good, Jim Edwards, Adam Edwards and Ace McHatton. Honorary casket bearers were John Pittsenbargar and Jack Heffington.
Online condolences may be sent to www.hdouglasfuneralhome.com.