~ IN MEMORY ~
NWA Capt. James R. Jones
May 9, 1941 ~ July 21, 2018
Word has been received with the passing of retired Northwest
pilot Captain James Russell Jones, age 77. Captain Jones joined Northwest
Airlines first as a mechanic 07-10-1964. He is survived by his wife Judy, their
children and grandchildren, plus many other family members.
To view/sign the online guestbook please visit the funeral
home website at
Obituary may also be viewed online at
Services for Captain Jones were held yesterday in Volga, South
Dakota.
Should more information be received we will be sure to pass it
along.
Thank
you,
~ Carol for
the PCN
Obituary......................
James R. Jones, age 77, of Brookings, passed away, Saturday, July 21, 2018,
at the Brookings Hospital. Memorial services will be 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, July
25, 2018, at First Lutheran Church in Volga. Visitation will be one hour prior
to the memorial service at the church. Eidsness Funeral Home is handling the
arrangements.
James Russell Jones was born May 9, 1941 in New Castle, PN where he grew up
with his brother and three sisters. He graduated Union High School in New
Castle, PN in 1959. Afterwards, he joined the Air Force where he worked as a
mechanic/crew chief on B-52 Strato Fortress (Bombers) from 1959-1963. After
being discharged in 1963, he went to Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics for
further mechanic training. In 1966, he was hired by Northwest Airlines as a
mechanic and shortly after attained his commercial pilot license. Jim met his
first wife, Marilynn Horn and had two sons, James and Christopher Jones. After
his first marriage ended, he met his future wife, a flight attendant, Judy while
working together at Northwest Airlines.
Over the course of his 35 year career with Northwest Airlines, Jim had the
opportunity to travel the whole world seeing many exotic places. He also
volunteered to join the Civil Air Patrol mission that was organized to fly and
support the Operation Desert Shield mission during the Iraq/Kuwait War.
Judy and Jim settled in Mora, MN and had their first daughter Kathryn
Jones. Later they moved to a farm outside of Volga, SD, where they had their
second daughter Kimberly Jones. While continuing his career as an airline
Capitan, he also raised, pigs, cattle, donkeys, an assortment of poultry, and
reindeer on the farm in Volga. After a few years, Jim and Judy decided to
continue growing as a family, moved into town, and became foster parents. Later
they added Zachariah Jones and Macey Blum to their family.
In 1999, Jim and Judy opened Big Sioux Aviation where he and his team of
instructors including his son Jim helped teach students in the community how to
fly airplanes. He and his son Jim coached the Big Sioux Aviation Softball Team
which his daughters played for and enjoyed making sure his team was well taken
care of. Jim officially retired in 2001 as a captain on the 747-400. During his
retirement, Jim enjoyed spending his time with his wife, kids, and
grandchildren. He loved to watch Fox News and c-SPAN to see “what the Democrats
were up to” and enjoyed a good political debate. He enjoyed watching western
movies, volunteering at the Volga Christian School, and watching his
granddaughter, Leah.
Jim lost his 25 year long battle with Prostate cancer on July 21, 2018. He
passed surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife, Judith Jones (Fjeld);
his children James (Autumn) Jones, Christopher Jones, Kimberly Brendsel,
Zachariah Jones, and Macey Blum; his grandchildren, Trevor Jones, Kami (Orin)
Flaherty, and Leah Brendsel; his sisters, Daisy Pullen, Brookfield, OH, Ramona
Jordan, Millbrook, AL, Rebecca (Tom) Neal, New Castle, PA; Brother-in-law, Dean
(Mavis) Fjeld, Moorhead, MN; Sister-in-laws Dorean (Bill) Halonen, Punta, FL,
Jane Erickson, Duluth, MN and many nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his parents Charles Jones and Charlette Glenn-Jones,
his daughter Kathryn Jones.
---------------------------
From: RNPA News Sent: Monday, July 23, 2018 9:11 AM Subject: James Jones
Has Flown West.....................
James R. Jones, 77, of Brookings, died Saturday, July 21, 2018, at the
Brookings hospital.
Memorial services are at 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, at First Lutheran
Church in Volga.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the memorial service at the church.
Eidsness Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Jim started as a mechanic for NWA and joined the class starting on Sept 26,
1966.
I miss you dad
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