John “Jack” E. Jones passed peacefully April 24, 2023 surrounded by family in Merced, California.
Jack loved his life: he enjoyed every day of his 88 years. Jack never met a stranger that didn’t become his friend and never forgot a face. Nobody would know if Jack was having a bad day. To say he, “held his cards close to his vest” would be an understatement. Jack was competitive by nature; he liked to win all competitions and win, he did.
Jack started farming in 1954, his last crop planted was harvested in April 2023, sixty-nine years of hard work and dedication. Farming is not what he did, it’s who he was. For the first 50 years of farming Jack would leave the ranch for 3 good reasons, Horses, fishing and golf but for no longer than a weekend. Jack and his beloved wife Pat (Tricia) moved to Merced in 2006 and only then did he allow himself a proper vacation. Jack farmed every day, often eating lunch parked under a tree at the ranch.
Jack served on many boards during his long career, 25 years on Fresno County Mosquito Abatement, Merced County Farm Bureau, Fresno County Cotton Board, Member of the Dos Palos Co-Op Gin and was awarded 4 bale cotton achievement. Served as President of the Dos Palos Rotary Club, Merced Bass Club. Los Banos Bass Club, member of the Merced Golf and Country Club since 2001, achieving hole-in-one 2015.
Jack is preceded in death by his parents Bertie Jones Howard & John Lewis Jones, Brother William “Billy” Jones & Grandson Sean Blair Hodak. He is survived by wife Patricia M. Jones, Sister Lavonne Bennett, Daughters Allyson Jones Hodak, Janet Jones Darnell (Jeff) stepchildren David Lake (Paula), Kam Lake. Beloved Grandchildren Valerie Darnell Voglin (Spencer), Justin Darnell (Kendyl), Emily Hodak, Alana Hodak, Danielle Ristau (Nick). Six Great Grandchildren, Jack, Owen, Bertie Belle & June Voglin. Charlotte & Donald Darnell.
Remembrances may be made to Salvation Army P.O. Box 191 Merced, CA 95341.
Fellowship for Jack Jones will be held May 12, 2023 @ 11:00 a.m. Location Cotton Tree Ranch 9194 West Hwy 152 Dos Palos, CA 93620.
