James Jones
September 28, 1958 - February 23, 2023
Obituary
James Joseph “Jim” Jones passed away on February 23rd, 2023, in Billings, Montana at the age of 64.
Jim was born on September 28th, 1958, in Grangeville Idaho to parents Kenneth Jones and Eula “Jolene” Chase and grew up in Kooskia, Idaho.
Jim met the love of his life on one fateful day, Christmas of 1977 when he went to church that Sunday morning in Oak Harbor, Washington. Cynthia “Cindy” O'Neal's mother had wanted her daughter to meet Jim while Cindy visited from Ventura, California, hoping they would like one another, so that afternoon, Jim along with a couple of his friends were invited to the O'Neal household for dinner. Almost immediately after they met, Jim and Cindy began their relationship. Despite Jim being away on a cruise for ten months after their relationship began, they continued to correspond using letters. Long distance was no difficulty for Jim and Cindy because a year and four days after first meeting one another, Jim and Cindy married on December 29th, 1978. This was the beginning of their 44-year-long marriage.
During their marriage, Jim and Cindy had three children, their firstborn Shawn Michael who unfortunately passed ten days after birth. Following Shawn Michael was their son Kyle Matthew and their daughter Heather Nicole. Their children being a great source of pride and joy.
Jim spent four years in the Navy during his early life and was honorably discharged by 1980. Immediately following this he spent over ten years in law enforcement before moving on to do lawn care and snow removal in Red Lodge for the next four years. He then spent over twenty years working for 360 Office Solutions, mainly working at Billings Clinic.
Later in life, Jim and Cindy were blessed with their beautiful granddaughter, Emma, who is ten years old. Emma and Jim's connection was like no other, as she was always spending time with her beloved grandparents. He loved spending time with his family, but it was no secret that he and Emma were best buddies.
You could usually find Jim working in his shop on wood projects using pallet wood or working on his computer. In the last year of Jim's life, Cindy and Jim adopted a Shih Tzu who they named Brandi, a companion who was deeply loved by Jim.
Jim is preceded in death by his son Shawn Michael, Father Kenneth Phillip Jones, and Mother Jolene Jones.
Jim is survived by his wife Cindy Jones, his son Kyle, his daughter Heather, and his granddaughter Emma.
Jim will be deeply missed as his passing has left a huge hole in each of our lives.
A service for Jim will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church on April 18th, 2023, at 11 am. Jim noted he desired memorials to be directed to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or any pet rescue of your choice.