Gary L. Jones, 70

Gary Lee Jones, age 70, was born December 2, 1952 to Lyle “Jack” and Dorothy E. (Allen) Jones of Ainsworth, NE, the fourth of five children. He passed away August 3, 2023 near Wewela, SD in a motorcycle accident.

Gary loved growing up on the family farm and attended grade school at District #7 Highland Grove. He then attended Ainsworth High School, where he met the love of his life. On May 29, 1971 Gary was united in marriage to Sharon P. Fink. To this union four children were born - Thad Alan, Becky Lee, Casey Robert and Maegan Angela.

After their marriage, Gary and Sharon worked in Wood Lake at the Arabia Ranch and other ranches until moving to Cozad, NE. There Gary worked as a third-shift forklift driver at Monroe’s Manufacturing Plant. Though he enjoyed his job, the ties to the family farm were strong. During the 70’s, on Friday’s after his shift ended, Gary, Shari and Thad would leave Cozad at 2:30 am to come home and help his father on the farm. They eventually moved back to Ainsworth and in time, owned the place he always knew as home.

Gary was a ‘jack-of-all-trades’ and it seemed he could do anything he put his mind to. He worked at a variety of jobs that included farming, milking cows, driving a truck, running a restaurant, being a diesel mechanic, gravel pit operator and dirt moving, to name a few. His ‘eagle eye’ would know just where that dirt needed to be leveled.

He had many passions, including a love for “iron,” collecting older, antique machinery that came with the challenge of making it functional again. He loved adding new “toys” to his collection. Two additional favorite loves were the enjoyment of his guns and going for a ride on his “scooter“(motorcycle).

Always a jokester, his shenanigans were known far and wide. There never seemed to be a dull moment when he was around. He was always up to something, whether it was a bit of mischief or thinking of what joke he was going to tell to get someone to crack a smile. Everyday was an adventure with Grandpa or “Gramps”. He had a huge heart with a larger-than-life personality and always put others ahead of himself. He touched the lives of many, leaving a lasting impression.

Gary was a proud dad of his children and a prouder grandfather of his grandchildren. Whatever accomplishments they made were always celebrated by Gary. When his “little people” came to see him, it was easy to see they had him wrapped around their fingers. He would drop whatever he was doing to spend time with them.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Dorothy; sister, Lynda “Beanie” Hollenbeck; brother, Keith Jones; and in-laws, Melvin and Pearl Fink.

Gary is survived by his wife, Shari of Ainsworth; children, Thad Jones of Ainsworth, Becky (Kevin) Mizner of Springview, NE, Casey (Mary Gambill) Jones of Ainsworth, and Maegan (Kyle) Urban of Waverly, NE; grandchildren, Cameron, Kelsi (Cody), Jake (Madison), Tucker (Lindsey), Shelby (Brent), and Colton; great-grandchildren, Brooke, Brynn, Josey, and Rowdy; his siblings, Sandy (Dan) Clapper and Sue Porter; in-laws, Wayne (Daryn) Fink, Mike (Jeanine) Fink, and Barb (Jon) Charbonneaux; and countless nieces, nephews and other family members.

Memorial Services were held on Thursday, August 10, 2023 at the United Methodist Church in Ainsworth, NE, with Pastor Mike Eurit officiating. Eulogy was given by Rick Buoy. CD musical selections “How Do I Say Goodbye” by Dean Lewis, “Where Rainbows Never Die” by The SteelDrivers, “Beat You There” by Will Dempsey and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver were played. A private family inurnment will be held at a later date at Highland Grove Cemetery near Ainsworth. Honorary Urn Bearers are all Gary’s nieces. Memorials are suggested to the family in Gary’s name. Hoch Funeral Home of Ainsworth is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hochfuneralhome.com.