Robert (Bob) Jones,
69, of Hermantown died of natural causes on Wednesday, December 7, in his home.
He was born in Duluth to Arnold and Ivy Jones on February 24, 1942. He lived in West Duluth until age 10 when his family moved to Tofte, MN. He graduated from Cook County High School in Grand Marais and also from UMD with a bachelor of science degree and remained a Bulldog fan to the end.
He worked as a millwright out of Local 1348 until he was forced into early retirement at age 58 due to Lyme disease. He kept busy with his online business, Duluth Decal, selling construction reference charts he designed.
Bob loved living on the North Shore and enjoyed hunting and fishing and continued as his health allowed. His hobbies and interests included playing guitar, building his home (and several outbuildings), solar panels, welding (crosses and candleholders) and most recently a cross for his church, New Life Lutheran, where he was the “official greeter.”
His faith was reignited in 1997 when he attended a Via de Cristo weekend. He then became very active in his former church, Grace Lutheran, where he was a member of the Praise Band. He was the property board director for four years, recruiting his helpers with coffee and “diet jelly filled donuts.” He truly was a “fisher of men.”
He was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his “soul mate” wife, Barbara (Gjertson) Jones; his children, Becky (Ken) McMillan of Hermantown, MN; Robin (Kevin) Bradley of Lakeville, MN; Robert (Tammy) Jones of Plymouth, MN; Bradley (Mary) Jones of Hermantown, MN; grandchildren Lydia, Lindsey, Michelle, Olivia, Grace, Ryan and Rachel; sisters, Delores Jones of Denver and Elizabeth Skalko of Virginia, MN; brother-inlaw John (Kathy) Gjertson of International Falls, MN; sister-in-law Lee Galvin of Newark, DE; numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorial services were held Monday, Dec. 12, 2011 at Kenwood Lutheran Church, Duluth.
Memorials in lieu of flowers are preferred.
Arrangements are by Dougherty Funeral Home.
Leave a Reply