Obituary of David Jones

David Price Jones was born in Holywell, Flintshire County, North Wales on August 23rd, 1916, the only child of Roger and Margaret Jones. Davey's father worked as a coal miner but limited employment opportunities led his parents to consider emigrating to Australia or Canada. The decision was made to move to Canada and Davey, his parents, and Uncle Gwilym took up residence on a farm south of Blackfoot, Alberta on April 1st, 1926. During this time Davey attended Kinsella School however in the fall of that same year Davey's parents purchased a ½ section south of Lloydminster where Davey spent the rest of his life. None of the land had been broken so during the winter they began cutting bush in preparation for breaking some of the land for next spring. Davey's father and uncle purchased some farm equipment, and over time cleared the land, as well as making additional land purchases. During this time Davey attended Golden Valley school. In 1930 Davey left school to partner with his dad in the farm operation and in 1935 joined a 4H club at which time he developed a keen interest in raising cattle. Uncle Gwilym married in 1938 and began farming on his own. Davey and his dad went on to purchase purebred Hereford cattle and Davey began showing bulls in Calgary and Lloydminster. In 1938, Davey made his first return trip to Wales traveling aboard the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth passenger ships. By 1950, the farm had grown into a large cattle and grain operation. While Davey was a hard worker he always found time for recreational activities. He became a member of the Lloydminster Fish and Game League and was a member of the Lloydminster Gun Club where he and his dad did skeet and trap shooting. He curled at a Southminster Curling Rink and then later took up golf and bowling. He was also a member of the Lloydminster United Church as well as a member of the Masons. When his father passed away in September 1962, Davey began to cut back on the cattle operation and he and his mother began taking trips to Wales on a regular basis. They eventually bought a house in Holywell Wales and started spending the winter months there, returning to Lloydminster in the summer in time for the farming operation. In the 1970's, Davey and his mother bought a house in Lloydminster. Having sold all his cattle Davey continued his grain farming from Lloydminster. He quit actively farming in the early 1990's and rented his land, but continued to make regular visits to maintain the farm yard. Following his mothers death in 1996, Davey continued to live in their Lloydminster residence until his passing on May 2nd. David Price Jones, known as Davey to most, and Davey rather than David seemed to fit in with the rather soft lilt of his quiet welsh accent. He was an amazing example of what so many human beings would like to be remembered as, generous, kind, true friend, successful, always well dressed. Most certainly he remained young mentally and physically until the clock of life decided to grant him peace and rest. Because he had such a sense of humor he was finally called home to escape the moaning and groaning about mad cow disease and low interest rates. Davey was very active in Grace United Church, attending service regularly. He was very generous to his church as well as to many charities. All he had to know was that whatever asked for was to benefit his fellow human beings. Davey loved to laugh, a tip back of his head and a hold of his breath while his eyes literally flooded was trade mark of his being. One Sunday morning in the foyer of the church I met him and oh my he was dressed up like a New York Banker which I commented on. "Well" he said I went into Cliff Roses yesterday to get a new pair of socks to go with the new slacks and blazer that he sold me about two years ago — look at this — all brand new — had to go to the farm and get a load of wheat to pay him — "BUT look at this I am wearing the old socks: going to take the new ones in for a refund Monday morning". In the fifties and sixties I used to stop in occasionally and pick him up in my Volkswagon when I had a call to Neilburg or some farm quite far away and we would visit and relate as to how wonderful our world was. Great trips they were, we discussed so many things and we could hear each other as the inside of a Volkswagon with the motor in the back was so different from a mass of people — say in a restaurant — time rolls on — hearing, one of Gods gifts seems an inherited defect with the Jones — Roger strained a good deal to hear at his young age — particularly when I quoted him my charges — NO not true he was generous like his son — but Roger was hard of hearing — Gwilym was hard of hearing-his son Joe Jones is hard of hearing but carries his hearing aid in his pocket – thank goodness Davey and I realized they were fashionable so we each bought some affordable ones. Our son Doug and I had supper with Davey and Raymond Williams at Mr. Bills about two weeks ago - Davey and I visited and Raymond and Doug visited. – "went something like this I was told "well Glenn aren't the interest rates awful" "Davey, funny how our temperature is so changeable" "Gosh aren't the interest rates frightful" "Davey you are so right we do have good food" "Gosh Glenn I remember when you started here" "Davey I am not over joyed that Montreal won the hockey game tonight" "How are the farmers going to make out Glenn - fertilizer is so high and interest rates are so terribly low" NO it was a good game but I really don't want Montreal to win french and all that stuff you know. Slowly with purpose over came the owner of Mr. Bills - "What are you two deaf old codgers talking about ----- THE WHOLE DAMN restaurant can hear you and is near crying for your low interest rates and starving conditions. Son Doug said "for gosh sakes get them a Volkswagon." David Price Jones, you all knew him as a gentle, kind, good, happy, member of God's flock. Remembering him as we do is his cousin Joe Jones, his wife Irene, their two children and four grandchildren, his sister Eunice, her husband John Fisher, their two children, and their three great grandchildren. I had supper with Joe last Saturday ---- a privilege to renew tails of yesteryear about David. Davey had many friends, he had some special friends, his Mom told Kelly and I that he was born when she was seventeen and he was more like a brother than a son. Gary Young who ran Smitty's Restaurant used to badger and harass Davey about the size of his hidden over sears bank accounts – Cliff and Ann Townsend had a special compartment in their hearts for David – Mr. Bill Kokanas used a cunning sarcasm to show Davey he cared for him. Debbie, Bill's gentle wife, eased the sarcasm and brought pure joy to Davey. Wilma Sharp put it this way – when Davey recognized someone his face lit up and in doing so he brightened everyones day; Dr. Raff Sayeed knew him as a "rare human being". John and Robin Acton and their three children: Eric, Kelsey and Connor brought much joy to Davey. They spent many Christmas' together - how could an Irishman and Welshman understand each other -?- probably couldn't and that is why they remained such great friends. Reverend Harold Martin and Davey really were great buddies, there again probably a fellow from an Island off the east coast of Canada and someone from a Wales coal mining area must have used sign language to communicate — see Davey did have hearing assists. Milton Williams, Raymond Williams and Davey Jones as we all know, were soul mates for many many years. Your friends and neighbors will miss the threesome. Milton and David have gone to their rewards, Raymond you are in our prayers. A page turned, a chapter finished, a book closed on the life on earth of David Price Jones. David “Dave” Price Jones passed away peacefully in the Lloydminster Hospital, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Sunday, May 2, 2010 at the age of 93 years. Dave will be sadly missed by his cousins and their families in Canada and Wales, and his friends and neighbours in Lloydminster and area. Dave’s surviving Canadian cousins and their families are Eunice (John) Fisher and Joe (Irene) Jones; Eunice and John’s children Pamela Fisher (Chad) and grandson Declan, and Karen (Russ) Duffee and grandchildren Morrgan and Ayden; and Joe and Irene’s children Charlene (Carl) Blackwell and grandchildren Cassandra and Donavon, and Deanna (Greg) Miller and grandchildren Sam and Max. Dave was born on August 23, 1916 in Holywell, North Wales. He was the only child of Roger and Margaret Jones. The family emigrated to Canada in 1926 and settled on a farm 9 miles south of Lloydminster. Dave attended Golden Valley School. After finishing school he began farming full-time with his parents. He joined 4H and became interested in raising cattle. The family acquired registered Hereford cattle in the early 1940s and Dave began showing cattle at Lloydminster and Calgary. By the 1950s the farm had become a sizeable grain and cattle operation. Over the years Dave took up skeet and trap shooting, curling, golfing and bowling. After his father passed away in 1962, Dave began to gradually reduce the size of the cattle herd. In the late 1960s Dave and his mother began to visit their relatives in Wales on a regular basis. They eventually moved to Lloyd to live. About 1990 Dave quit active farming and rented his land. His mother, Margaret, passed away in 1996 at the age of 99 years. In his later years he enjoyed attending church, eating out with friends, bowling and taking many bus tours in the western provinces. He still drove and kept active until recently. Dave was well known for his friendliness and generosity in supporting many worthwhile causes. He was a long time member of Grace United Church and the Lloydminster Masonic Lodge. The funeral service was conducted at the Grace United Church, Lloydminster, Alberta on Monday May 10, 2010 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Sue Hertell officiating. The Eulogy was read by Glenn Weir. Grace United Church Choir sang “All Thru The Night” and “ I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry”. The hymns sung were “Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah” and “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” accompanied on the organ by Irene Knowlson. The honorary pallbearers were the Members of the Masonic Lodge and all those who shared in Dave’s life. The active pallbearers were Larry McCormick, Greg McCormick, Lorne Foote, Gary Young, Gilbert Williams and Tom Fisher. Interment was held in the Lloydminster City Cemetery, followed by a lunch served by the lunch committee at the Grace United Church Upper Hall, where Dave’s relatives, neighbours and friends gathered. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements. CARD OF THANKS The family of the late Dave Jones would like to thank Dave’s friends and neighbours for being there for Dave and assisting him in many ways. Their kindness and helpfulness over the years is very much appreciated. The family would also like to thank Drs. Kerlis and Sayeed, and nurses and staff at Lloydminster Hospital for their care and concern, Reverend Sue Hertell, the organist Irene Knowlson, Grace United Church choir, Glenn Weir for presenting the eulogy, the pallbearers, the Masonic Lodge members, Grace United Church lunch committee, and Glenn and Dave McCaw and McCaw Funeral Service Ltd. for their care and compassion in administering the funeral arrangements. They would also like to thank everyone who visited Dave, and sent cards, flowers and donations. Your kindness and generosity are truly appreciated. Donations in memory of Dave may be made to the charity of the donors choice.