Oct. 21, 1949 ~ Nov. 18, 2018
Alvin “Butch” Jones of Meeker, Colo., died on Nov. 18, 2018, in Meeker among his family and friends.
Alvin was born to Albert “Pal” and Louise Jones on Oct. 21, 1949, in Hayden, Colo. He spent his entire childhood in Craig, Colo., where he acquired his love of hunting, fishing and all things outdoors. Following his graduation from Moffat County High School, he attended Colorado State University in Fort Collins, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in range ecology and minor in soil science. While attending CSU he met Linda Leroux of Radium, Colo. They were married at the Danforth Chapel on the CSU Campus on May 24, 1969, and remained married for 49 years until his passing.
During high school and college Alvin held various jobs including on a local ranch and at Dinosaur National Park. After an internship, he was hired by the Soil Conservation Service, where he would work until his retirement in December 2005. Early in his career, Alvin and family moved several times but never left western Colorado. He was transferred to Meeker, Colo., in 1976 and lived there for the remainder of his life. He was well-known and respected by ranchers, farmers, water providers and landowners throughout northwest Colorado for his expertise and the assistance he provided them. After his first retirement, he worked for EnCana Gas as a natural resource contractor.
Alvin was an active member of the Meeker community, and served in numerous roles and positions over the years. These include: an originating member of the Sportsman’s Club and part of the group that developed the current shooting range facility off of Highway 13, a member of the original board of the Eastern Rio Blanco County Parks and Recreation District, a member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and member of the Wagon Wheel OHV Club.
Spending time with his family and being outdoors were two of his greatest passions. He was known to friends and family as a leader and guide, and loved teaching others to shoot, hunt, fish, ride, explore the western U.S. and be good stewards of the land.
Alvin was preceded in death by his father Albert Leroy Jones, mother Thelma Louise Jones and sister Glenda Cooper. He is survived by his wife Linda Jones of Meeker, Colo.; son Vaughn and Amy Jones of Evergreen, Colo., and their children Collin and Liane; son Don and Jen Jones of Winston-Salem, N.C., and their children Jacey and Conner; sister Sharon Johnson of Fort Collins, Colo.; as well as numerous extended family members and friends.
His family invites you to join them to share stories and friendship in remembrance of his life at a memorial service and reception on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 3:30 p.m. at the Fairfield Center in Meeker, Colo. In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations be made to the Wagon Wheel OHV Club, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation or HopeWest Hospice and Palliative Care.
