John Calvin Jones

John “Calvin” Jones was born March 10, 1927 in Cheyenne County Kansas to Robert L. and Beatrice E.(Anderson) Jones. He was the fifth of eight children. He passed away February 9, 2018 at Hillcrest Care Center in Wray, Colorado.

Calvin spent his early childhood in Cheyenne County Kansas until the Jones family purchased the Rosenkrans Ranch South of Laird. He started school at age 4 and graduated from Laird High School in 1943. When he was of age, he joined the Army and was training as a teletype mechanic when World War II ended.

In 1953 he married Barbara Faye Shafer. This marriage began their many years of ranching and farming together. They raised their two daughters Denice(Baucke) and Janice (Stroup) at their place in Laird. The family always worked together and practiced a hard work ethic.

Calvin could build or fix anything and he always strived for perfection. He and Barbara put those many skills to work helping with the Laird Community Center. His shop was well equipped and well used. The neighbors knew he would help whenever needed.

After over 50 years of ranching and farming, they began a new chapter in 2004 West of Wray, starting from scratch and creating a home for their next phase in life. They celebrated their 64 ^th wedding anniversary in October of 2017.

Calvin is survived by his wife Barbara, daughters Denice (Andy) Baucke of Wray and Janice (Stan) Stroup of Benkelman, NE. Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren Jessi (Tyler) Holland, Jaylin, Abby and Garet of Swansboro, NC; CJ (Brittney) Baucke, Carter and Jase of Longs, SC; Josiah (Jacque) Stroup of Benkelman, NE; Hannah Stroup of Benkelman, NE; Katie (Jordan) James of Riverton, NE; and Faith Stroup of Valentine, NE. 2 sisters, Evelyn Goodman and Caryl (Leon) Sturch and also In-laws Stanley and Carol Shafer and Lila Jean Shafer plus many nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors.

Visitation/viewing will be February 14, 2018 at Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home 427 Adams Street Wray, CO from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 15, 2018 at the Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home in Wray and interment at the Lakeview Cemetery near Laird, CO with Pastor Ben Wentworth officiating.

In leu of flowers the family has asked that memorials be given in his name to either Hospice of the Plains, PO Box 365 Wray, CO or Hillcrest Care Center 360 Canyon Ridge Drive Wray, CO. Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.