Garry Nelson Jones was born August 23, 1936 to Daniel Roy and Olive Lucille (Knowles) Jones of Princeton, Idaho. Garry peacefully passed away of natural causes, on July 13, 2026 surrounded by his children at his home in Potlatch. Funeral Services will be held Monday, July 20th, with a graveside service at 9:30 am at the Freeze Cemetery and funeral service at 11:00 am at the Grace Community Church in Potlatch. Viewing for Garry will be on Thursday from Noon to 5:00 pm and Friday from 8:00 to 5:00 at the Corbeill Funeral Home in Colfax.

Dad met the love of his life Beverly Espy, and was married on July 19, 1958. Dad began his career in 1954 at Potlatch Forest Incorporated and was supervisor for the Planer. After the Potlatch Mill closed down in Potlatch he was transferred to the mill in St. Maries, Idaho for a few years and eventually to the mill in Lewiston, Idaho. He retired in 1991. A year later he decided retirement wasn’t quite for him yet, and he went to work at the University of Idaho at the Power Plant. He retired from there in 2002. Dad was a quiet gentle man with a smile that warmed everyone’s heart that met him. He was kind and friendly and always ready to lend a helping hand.

Our dad, until his final day, was the toughest cowboy you would ever meet. He never complained about a thing. He loved everything horses. AS a child he remembers Fats Espy Outfitting and his pack string going by his house with all his gear, horses and wagons heading to the Lochsa. Dad said that was always one of the most amazing things to see and so exciting for him. As fate would have it; he ended up marrying Mr. Espy’s daughter.

Dad was one of the local and surrounding areas Farriers for many years. He loved training horses and would tell us kids; “a client’s horse had to leave his place “city broke and lady gentle””. His motto was; “the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man.” He rode broncs as a young man as well and once he had children he changed to less dangerous and more family friendly horse events like horse shows and Gymnkannas. However; he and his friend Verle Brown found a way to make even some of those gaming events a bit dangerous! He worked with Marv Thompson rodeo bucking stock and was a pickup man for them. He loved that work. He also helped coach the University of Idaho’s Rodeo team back in the 1980’s.

Dad will be missed so very much. We know he has a huge smile on his face after reuniting with mom, whom he missed every single day over these past 4 years. Go stroll over heaven with mom; dad. We love you.

Garry is survived by his daughter Connie Jones, Potlatch, daughter Sondra Jones-Harvill and her husband Kevin of Potlatch, son Garry Dean Jones and his wife Heather of Selah, Washington; by Lynn Espy of Potlatch who was just like a son to him; along with 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Beverly, and by his daughter Pearl Jones, his parents and all 6 of his siblings.

The family suggests memorial gifts be made to the Potlatch Food Bank or to the Potlatch Ambulance. 

Corbeill Funeral Home in Colfax is caring for the family. www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com