David L. Jones

David L. Jones, age 89 of Sun City West, AZ passed away October 18, 2023. Born David Lawerance Jones on September 14, 1934, at Parkview Hospital, Pueblo, CO to Lawerence and Louiese (Bouchard) Jones of Westcliffe, CO. David lived the first nineteen years of his life in the Westcliffe, CO area where he was introduced to both the work of ranch life and the adventure of hunting and fishing in the Sangre de Cristo mountains of southern Colorado.

Mr. Jones had connections to the 1870 Wulstein Colony in Custer County, Colorado as his grandmother, Emma (Luther) Jones was a granddaughter of early German colonists, Johann and Elizabeth Knuth. His paternal great grandparents, John and Sarah (Parsons) Jones from Somerset County, England, arrived in America 1879-1880 and settled in Custer County, CO by 1882.

He was both baptized and confirmed in Hope Lutheran Church, Westcliffe, Custer County, CO. His grade school years began in 1940 (grades 1-5) were at the Westcliffe Grade School, years (6-7) in Custer County’s Ula school and the 8th grade at the Hope Lutheran School. The 1948-1952 school years (9-12) were at Custer County High School where he played three seasons on the basketball team and was David Lawerance Jones.

In 1953 David enlisted in the United States Army. This decision carried a two-year active-duty situation, serving sixteen months in South Korea, plus one-year active reserve and five years inactive reserve. In 1956 he was married to Shirley Hobby. Children were Dava, Wendy, Lavina and Linna. They were divorced.

On 18 Aug 1973 David married Joann (Hart) Sinnard in Hope Lutheran Church, Westcliffe, CO. Mr. Jones attended and graduated from the University of Northern Colorado having earned both BA (1960) and MA (1964) degrees within the teaching field of history. This teaching activity, all in Colorado, found him at Ignacio Jr. High (1 year), Custer County High School, Westcliffe (2 years), Canon City High School, Canon City (3 years) and Fort Collins High School, Fort Collins (25 years). While at FCHS, he was supervising teacher for several student teachers. During 1975-1985 he taught several specific United States history courses for military personnel working on their degrees through Chapman College Extension at the US Air Force Base, Cheyenne, WY. After teaching 31 years, he retired in 1991.

In 1996 Dave and Joann moved to their retirement home in Sun City West, AZ. Summers were spent at their summer home in Fort Collins, CO. While living in Sun City West, Mr. Jones was involved in several retirement clubs, woodshop, mini-golf, genealogy, the Fitness club and World War II Roundtable. In 2005, he completed an autobiography title, ‘A Fortunate Life.’ They were members of the Crown of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West where Dave served on the financial committee for a few years. During the summer, they traveled within the United States and to several European countries focusing on historical settings and family history. They also attended several Elderhostels. Their seven children were a very important part of their life together, and summer trips included visit with their children who lived in Colorado, Idaho, Washington and Wyoming.

Survivors include Joann of their home, his wife of over 50 years, daughters Dava, Wendy, Lavina, several grandchildren and great- grandchildren; children of his spouse, Joann; Bob, Rick and Dawn, brother’s-in-law; Wendell, Chuck and Ray.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Linna, who passed away in 2002, parents Lawerence and Louiese Jones, grandparents Charles and Emma Jones and Linna (Massey) Bouchard.

Memorial services were held on October 24, 2023, at Crown of Life Church and his remains rest at Crown of Life Columbarium Memorial Gardens.

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