Clifford Jones

Clifford E. Jones, 96, passed away June 19, 2008, at Colonial Manor in Whitefish.

He was born Aug. 8, 1911, in Garden City, Kan., to David and Verna Jones.

At an early age he moved to Billings. He graduated from Billings High School in 1932 where he was captain of both the football and basketball teams during his senior year. After graduation, he attended the University of Montana.

Clifford married Dorothy Cooper from Billings on Aug. 30, 1941. They lived in Glasgow, then moved to Havre and finally to Harlowton in 1948, where Clifford was area manager for Mountain States Tel. & Tel. He retired in 1973.

A dedicated community member, Clifford served on the Harlowton City Council and was assistant fire chief of the local fire department. He organized and coached Little League baseball teams and was a member of the Black Horse Patrol, the Masonic Lodge and president of the Kiwanis Club.

He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid and talented trout fisherman, hunter and golfer.

Clifford and Dorothy moved to Escondido, Calif., in 1981 and later to Camarillo, Calif. They returned to Billings in 2000 and then moved to Whitefish in 2004.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Fred and Roland; and sisters Virginia and Lenore.

Clifford is survived by his wife Dorothy; son William and wife Clemence, of Columbia Falls; grandson Austen of Torrance, Calif.; granddaughter Darcy, of New York, N.Y.; and brother-in-law John Cooper, of Big Timber.

A graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Billings on Saturday, June 28, 2008, at 11 a.m.