Tributes & Stories

Find an Obituary

The obituary news listed on this page is provided by newspapers and from funeral homes only:

 

Obituary (OR): Ivan Joseph Jones '54

Posted on 03/26/2019

Ivan Joseph Jones  (March 26, 1931 ~ March 2, 2019)

Col. Ivan Joseph Jones 87, of Rainier Oregon passed away on March 2nd, 2019 at St. John’s Hospital in Longview, WA surrounded by his children.

Ivan was born March 26th, 1931 to Ivan Harold and Berniece (Dehné) Jones in Great Falls, MT. His family spent time in Portland, OR and later moved to Columbia County. He graduated from Rainier High School in 1948 and then attended Vanport and Oregon State University before receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MA. He returned home his junior year to marry the love of his life Jean (Van Swoll) on August 23rd, 1952 and received an early discharge. Ivan then attended the University of Portland where he served in the Air Force ROTC and earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering.

After graduation, Ivan served four years as an active duty fighter pilot in the United States Airforce. Upon discharge from active duty, Ivan joined the Oregon Air National Guard where he served for 27 years. While in the National Guard, Ivan rose to the rank of colonel and concluded his time in service as director of operations and vice commander at headquarters. Simultaneously, Ivan obtained his Professional Engineering License in mechanical engineering and worked for the Army Corp of Engineers. While working for the Army Corp he also obtained a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Stanford University in 1968.

Ivan and Jean raised three children before building their home overlooking the Columbia River in Rainier, OR. In 1986 Ivan retired, but continued to serve his community through involvement on the Clatskanie PUD Board of Directors and his church.

Ivan is preceded in death by his parents Ivan and Bernice Jones, wife Jean (Van Swoll), and sister Donna Mulford. He is survived by his sons David and Thomas Jones, daughter Deborah (Ray) Kampfer, granddaughter Victoria (Alex) Kampfer, grandsons Cameron and Trevor Jones, brother Pierre (Betty) Jones, sister Yvonne Braeme, brother in-law Daniel Mulford, cousin Vincent (Kathy) Cooney and many nieces and nephews.

The family kindly requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Community Home Health and Hospice of Longview, WA.

A funeral mass will be held at 12:00 pm on March 30th, 2019 at the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Rainier, OR. Mass will be presided by Father Mark Gikenyi. A reception will follow in the church hall.

The Chief
16 March 2019

https://www.thechiefnews.com/obituaries/ivan-joseph-jones/article_262f3a58-474a-11e9-8a5c-df6539f58ba4.html