Robert E. Jones

Robert E. Jones, (94), of Three Forks, MT, passed away on March 26, 2023, at Bozeman Deaconess Hospital.

Robert was born to R. Frank and Nora D. Jones on August 3, 1928, in Bozeman, MT. He lived in Three Forks all 94 years.

At the age of 13, Robert went to work at the Yellowstone Garage in Three Forks and there he discovered his passion for mechanical repair. Graduating from Three Forks High School in 1946, he entered the Army and completed basic training in tank repair at Fort Knox, KY. World War II ended at that time, and he was assigned to a high security unit for hardened prisoners at Greenville, New York. He was one of four guards with machine guns escorting high security prisoners in Grand Central station in New York. His enlistment ended in November 1947. He also served 12 years in the Army Reserve.

Honorably discharged in 1947, Robert returned home to Three Forks and went to work for Kanta Products and then later went to work for the State of Montana as a Highway Maintenance worker and later became supervisor which he retired from in 1979.

During his years while working for the state, Robert completed a correspondence course in civil engineering. He also worked for the City of Three Forks and Westco Feeders. Robert also was a regular volunteer at the Three Forks Historical Museum.

In 1951, he helped build the Holy Family Parish Church and was a live long members of the parish. He was married there in 1954 to Pat Wendel of Helena, their Three sons were all baptized there. He completed a correspondence course in civil engineering which enabled him to become supervisor of Three Forks Highway Maintenance Division and he served 12 years in the Army Reserve.

His hobbies included fishing in homemade boats river boats, hunting, camping, and collecting antique hit and miss gas engines and had quite a collection that he loved to run and show others. One of his other favorite hobbies was to ride on his four-wheeler and to train his Labrador retrievers to ride with him. Robert enjoyed 10 years of going to their cabin near Glacier Park and spent an entire summer working and watching the cabin be built. He was also a regular volunteer at Three Forks Historical Museum.

Robert is survived by his wife, Pat of 68 years, and three children, Tom (Nancy) of Helena, Mike of Aurora, Colorado and Ted (Maeve) of Kiel, Wisconsin. Two grandchildren Craig (KD) of East Helena and children Cole and Keegan and Chris (Casey) of Las Vegas, Nevada and children Charli and Codi. He also is survived by his brother Don (Phyillis) of Redlands, California. He is predeceased by his parents, and brothers Tommy (infant), Gerald (Carmen), Jack (Romele) and nephew John. He is survived by his brother and sister-in-law's Ted (Marlys) of Ravensdale, Washington and Jane (Jerry) of Lincoln, Montana and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass was held at the Holy Family Parish in Three Forks on Monday, April 3.