Raymond Jones, 63, died at his home in Goodridge, MN on Friday, August 22, 2008.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at Faith Lutheran Church in Goodridge, MN with Rev. Robert Dahlen officiating. Burial will follow in the Goodridge Cemetery, Goodridge, MN.

Visitation will be held Tuesday 5-8 at Johnson Funeral Service in Thief River Falls, MN with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral service on Wednesday.

Raymond Allen Jones was born on December 4, 1944 to Allen and Myrtle (Tweten) Jones at Goodridge on the family farm. He was baptized at Zion Lutheran Church in Germantown, MN by Rev. E.O. Sabo. He attended school in Goodridge. He entered the US Navy in April of 1963 serving his country on the USS Oriskany air craft carrier. He served four years during the Vietnam War. He returned home from the service and lived in California. He worked at Hughes Aircraft welding. He moved to Grafton, ND and worked at the Hart Machine Shop. Then moved to Thief River Falls where he worked for Arctic Cat. He worked at Sabin Construction in Hibbing, MN. He worked at Cullens cement plant, JB Welding, and at Border States Paving in 1988-1989. He then returned to welding at Arctic Cat from 1989 to 1998.

Ray enjoyed deer hunting, snowmobiling, fishing, boating, and camping. Ray was an excellent wood worker. He spent many hours working with his scroll saw. He built many shelves and nightstands. His best talent was welding, and most of his working years were spent in that trade. He said he could weld anything from the crack of dawn to a broken heart. He loved country music and being with people. He loved his family and enjoyed watching his grandsons.

He served on the Goodridge Fire Department for a long time and was a member of the VFW.

Raymond is survived by four sons, Raymond Jones Jr, Victorville, California, Dennis Jones, Seattle, WA, David (Lori) Jones, of Gatzke, MN, Casey (Jessica) Jones, Goodridge, MN, step daughter Stacie (Ernie) Hanson, South Elgin, IL, 3 grandsons, 2 step granddaughters, and 1 step grandson, sister Dolly (Wally) Heaton, Thief River Falls, MN, mother of his children Sandra Sargeant Victorville, CA, and Judy Jones, Goodridge, MN;sister-in-law, Janice (Keith) Delong of Goodridge, MN. He is survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Wallace, and three nephews, step mother Ruth (Guasen) Jones.

ORGANIST: Joy Nordby
SOLOIST: Marie Konickson & Joy Nordby
SELECTIONS:
TAPED SELECTION: When A Man Comes Around by Johnny Cash
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: For Those Who Are In Perial On The Sea When Peace Life A River
PALLBEARERS: Leon Johnson, John Steiner, Rodney Wold, Curtis Sturre, Jimmy Johnsrud, David Vraa
HONORARY PALLBEARERS: All of his nephews
MILITARY HONORS: Thief River Falls American Legion & VFW Posts