John Harms JONES

05/09/1923 - 07/28/2015

JONES, John Harms (Age 92) John Jones passed away on Tuesday, July 28, 2015, at his home west of Spokane, the area he and his family homesteaded in the early 1940's. John was born on May 9, 1923, to parents Marie (Harms) and Ethelbert Jones. Siblings in- cluded sisters Anna Marie Malkoc, Camilla Phillipson (Wally), and brothers David, Aaron, Peter and Michael. John attended Lewis & Clark High School and later in life continued his education at Spokane Falls Community College. In 1949, John was introduced to his future bride, Joyce McBride through his sister Camilla while on a family outing in Wilbur, WA. She "accidently" left her camera in his car and he returned it the next day starting a romance that has carried on for 65 plus years. After his father died, and with help from his family, John carried on the family automotive business his father started in the early 1920's, Jones Radiator. The "steaming radiator" sign on East Second Avenue was a welcome stop to thousands of over-heated motorists down through the years as John and his crew, including his brothers, his mother Marie, wife Joyce and eventually his children and some other family members, worked long hours to get them back on the road. A long-time member of Spokane's Independent Garage Owners (IGO) and National Automotive Radiator Services Association (NARSA) John Jones was a proud small business owner, always working to improve customer relationships both in Spokane and out in the farming community. John was a generous man. His wealth could be measured in the time and talents he shared with his family, friends and customers. Whether it was plowing out his neighbors on a cold, snowy evening after work or staying late at the shop repairing that combine radiator during harvest, and then delivering it to the farmer himself, so he could get back out into the field, John demonstrated love and compassion on a daily basis. He was a great role model for his children and taught them the value of hard work and the rewards it offered. John is survived by his adoring wife, Joyce, and their six children: Martha Cunningham (Jeff), John "JC" (Tina), Wendy Jones-Ross (Bill-deceased), Thomas (Irena), Jeffery (Janus) and Barry. He also leaves behind many loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of John's life will take place at Rocky Acres on Sunday, Aug. 9th from 1-4 pm. We look forward to hearing the many stories you'll share so that we may pass them down to other family members, keeping "Sprink's" spirit alive in us all. The family would like to thank Spokane City Fire, District 10 Fire, as well as the Spokane Sheriff's Department for their timely and sensitive response. Thanks also, to Hennessey Funeral Home staff for their professionalism in our family's time of need. The family suggests memorials be made to the Union Gospel Mission or Spokane Meals-on-Wheels, in John's name. You can contact the family at: jcjones1954@hotmail.com