Gordon Eugene Jones

Gordon Eugene Jones, 84, of Harlowton, Montana, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 10, 2025, at his home with his children by his side after a short battle with Lymphoma.

Gordon was born August 5, 1941, at St. Joseph Hospital in Lewistown, MT, to Richard W. and Reva E. (Parry) Jones. He attended various elementary schools in Montana and graduated in 1959 from Harlowton High School. After graduation, he joined the United States Army and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, Maintenance Battalion in Fort Bragg, NC. There, he earned his paratrooper wings and worked as a mechanic/wrecker operator during his service in the army. The skills learned and experience gained in the army helped prepare him for his career path later in life. Gordon was honored to be selected along with his battalion to perform jump demonstrations for President John F. Kennedy at Andrews Air Force Base. After being honorably discharged in 1962, Gordon returned to Harlowton, where he met Katharine (Kathie) A. Ripley. They were married in Las Vegas, NV on June 1, 1964, and celebrated 21 years together, raising 3 children: Melanie, Ted, and Reese. Gordon was employed as a mechanic and service manager at the Chevy Garage, Beley & Johnson Ford, and the Texaco Station. In 1974, Gordon and Kathie purchased Carl Deering's machine shop and began their own business for the next 20+ years, they called it "Gordon's Auto Repair & Machine Shop". Gordon enjoyed and took pride in keeping many residents and ranchers' vehicles running, fabricating various cylinders and parts. Gordon built his own tow trucks and started a wrecker service to complement his auto repair and machine shop business. Gordon spent many hours on the highways helping stranded travelers in all kinds of weather conditions. Kathie suddenly passed away on October 22, 1985.

Gordon united in marriage to Geraldine L. (VanDerVoort) Hagberg on March 8, 1987. After his retirement, Gordon and Geri enjoyed traveling to Canada, Alaska, and many other states in their RV and spending the winter months in Arizona until Geri's death on November 16, 2018. Gordon lived his life to the fullest, enjoying time with his family, attending his kids and grandkids' activities, tinkering in his shop, and woodworking. Gordon spent time admiring many fabulous sunsets and sunrises, as well as the neighbor's cows, from the home he and Geri built south of Harlowton. He was always up for a drive or a mountain (UTV) ride and enjoyed camping and hunting. Gordon chose not to pursue treatment after his recent diagnosis and said he had lived 84 wonderfully blessed years and did not want to spend his last remaining days in a hospital. Gordon was able to remain at home, where he was lovingly cared for by Melanie and Ted. Gordon was a member of the Crazy Mountain Car Club and American Legion Post #15. Gordon was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren. 

He was predeceased by his parents, wives Kathie and Geri, son Reese, and his half-brother Bill Loudermilk. He is survived by his daughter Melanie (Ed) Schott, of Stanford, MT; son Ted (Stevie) Jones of Martinsdale, MT; stepdaughters Roxie (Jim) Hogemark of Springdale, MT and Kristi ( Dan) Hogemark of Big Timber, MT; half-brother Tim (Diona) Jones of Boise, ID and half-sister Marilyn (Bob) Shepard of Katy Texas, 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services for Gordon E. Jones will be Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Perkins Funeral Home, followed by burial in Harlowton Cemetery with Military Honors. A coffee hour reception will follow at the American Legion/VFW Hall. In lieu of flowers, Gordon requested that memorials be made to Stillwater Hospice, 3737 Grand Avenue, Billings, MT 59102, after the wonderful care and services they provided to him. Memorials may also be directed to the American Legion Post 15 or to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Perkins Funeral Home & Cremation Service. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.perkinsfuneralandcremation.com.