Leslie R Jones

Leslie Raymond Jones, 94, of Twin Falls died December 31, 2016. Born to Raymond and Blanche Cochran Jones in Star, Idaho, Sept. 12, 1922, he was raised on the Salmon Tract, graduating from Hollister High School in 1940. After a stint working for North American Aviation in Long Beach, he joined the U.S. Army Air Force in 1942. He served in England with the 8th Air Force as a sheet metal specialist, working with the 35th Mobile Air Depot unit. He left the Air Force in the summer of 1945 and returned to work with his father on their Salmon Tract farm. In March 1946 he met Charlotte Bain Miller at a St. Patrick's Day party. They were married August 4, 1946 and spent 67 years together on the farm until her death in December 2013. Their son Douglas Raymond was born in 1949; Norman Leslie was born in 1951; and Ronald Lee was born in 1955. Working with his father and his sons Ron and Doug, Les expanded the farm. In the early 1950s, they bought a combine and began harvesting for neighbors. Les and Charlotte grew the business, which became LRJ Inc., into a fleet of combines, swathers, spray rigs, and other custom farming equipment that worked all over the Magic Valley until 2005. For many years, Les worked with the engineers of Massey Ferguson testing experimental combines. Generations of Magic Valley kids earned college money working on the LRJ harvest crews. Les was a role model for them. He enjoyed helping both his customers and his employees. Farming allowed them the flexibility to pursue their passion for travel. Les and Charlotte bought a pickup camper in 1962, taking their kids on long Christmas trips to Mexico City, the Florida Keys, and every state in the Union. In 1974 they got passports and began international travel. Everywhere they went, Les made friends, and he frequently remarked about how travel changed your understanding of the world. A devoted Methodist, he held many leadership positions in the First United Methodist Church of Twin Falls. He lived his faith as a tolerant, loving person, always willing to help others. He loved serving others. As scoutmaster of Troop 62 at the Knull Grange for 25 years, he received the Silver Beaver Award for his service to Scouting. He was a board member and President of the Salmon River Canal Company. He became President of the Bean Growers Cooperative, and served on the board of OutWest Bean, the Federal Land Bank, and the Spokane Bank of Cooperatives. For many years he was a member and chair of the Idaho Bean Commission. In "retirement" he served on the board of the Twin Falls Senior Center. Les taught his boys the same ethic of service. He was a loving husband and father, and was very proud of his family, as he frequently reminded them. He is survived by his sons, Doug (Mary), Norm (Cecile Gilmer), and Ron (Carol). His five grandchildren include: Jennifer (Kyle) Casperson, Heather (Jeremy) Dillon, Douglas Jr. (Claudia), Curtis (Jerica) and Ryan. His great-grandchildren include: Sydney and Nicholas Casperson, Emily and Zoey Jones, and Jack and Calvin Jones. The Jones family thanks the staff at Bridgeview for their kindness and care in Les' last years. There will be a private family interment; followed by a memorial service at the First United Methodist Church in Twin Falls Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. Friends and family are encouraged to share their memories at www.rosenaufunerahome.com. The family suggest memorials be sent to the charity of the donor's choice, in memory of Les Jones.