We lost the pillar of our family, Roger Alan Jones, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Washington. He was 84. Roger was born Dec. 29, 1938, in Centralia, Washington, to John and Chrissie (Fitzhugh) Jones. He loved telling of his adventures and the trouble that always seemed to find him while growing up in rural Cinebar.
Roger joined the U.S. Navy in 1957 and served proudly until 1961. Once his term of service ended, he attended Palmer Chiropractic College in Davenport, Iowa, and earned his doctorate. While at Palmer, he played rugby and was rated the number one flank forward in the nation at that time. He returned to Washington, settling in Onalaska. He took up logging — both conventional and horse — until a serious head and neck injury ended that career. He went back to school, earning his certificate from Seattle Massage School, and opened his own practice in Chehalis. When he retired, he had a large clientele that followed him. Roger loved his work and made a profound difference in countless lives. Roger was a founding member of The OFC (Old Farts' Club) that met weekly, if not daily, at the Logger Burger Bar in Onalaska. No matter where he turned up, you knew there would be storytelling and lots of laughter. He enjoyed riding horses and mules, firearms, God, pastries and arguing politics. He loved his family beyond measure, as well.
Roger is survived by his children, Michelle (Todd) Ekberg, Jamie (Rachel) Jones, Becky (Stacy) Freeman and Shelly (Jud) Riddle; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; his sisters, Bev Lyons, Margaret (Barry) Vincent and Laurie (Wes) Wilson; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Patrick; brothers, Bobby and Gary; and his horse, Dusty.
Roger was a prominent and beloved member of his family. We are blessed to have had a man of his capacity as a dad, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend. He will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate to have known him.
The graveside service will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Shoestring Cemetery, 104 Frase Road, Onalaska. A reception will follow at The Barn on Jackson, 3605 Jackson Highway, Chehalis.
In lieu of flowers, please consider sending memorial donations to the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis.
