Kenneth Darrell Jones

With great sadness we announce the passing of Kenneth Darrell Jones. Kenny passed away on January 26, 2025. He was born in Hanford on February 24, 1945 to Bob and Margaret Jones. Kenny attended elementary school in Lemoore with his lifelong friends Doug Stebbins and Danny Newton and then graduated from Lemoore High School in 1962.
Kenny lived his entire life in Lemoore. From a very young age Kenny had a dedicated work ethic; he even began delivering newspapers at the young age of 12. After high school he delivered milk with Costa Home Dairy in the early morning hours. Those early years of hard work paid off and he opened his own auto body shop, Jones and Luis Auto Body in partnership with Bill Luis. Kenny eventually opened Jones Auto Body on Lemoore Avenue where he was the secretary, janitor, bookkeeper, body man, and painter.
On November 21, 1964 Kenny married Ileen Rocha. They raised 4 boys all while building their life. Kenny enjoyed boating, snow skiing, and travelling. While Lake Tahoe was he and Ileen's "happy place", he also enjoyed Rubicon jeep trips, an annual family Bass Lake trip, going to the Pismo Dunes and spending time at the family cabin in Shaver Lake. Kenny enjoyed his weekly NASCAR meetings with his good friends Doug Stebbins, Danny Newton, Tim Reed, and Mike Irrigary.
Kenny dedicated 57 years to the Lemoore Volunteer Fire Department. He served as Second Assistant Chief and First Assistant Chief prior to retiring from the fire department and becoming an Honorary Member. Kenny looked forward to the annual Christmas Tree trip each year to Bass Lake. He drove the tree down from Bass Lake for 20+ years to be placed on Main Street for the City of Lemoore.
He was known as Papa to his 13 beloved grandchildren. He enjoyed watching their many activities; volleyball, football, cheerleading, water polo, basketball, baseball games, midget racing, motocross racing, showing at the fair, and their school events.
Kenny was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Margaret Jones, his father and mother in-law Henry and Connie Rocha, his sister-in-law Kathleen Rocha and his brothers in law Richard Lancaster and Melvin Rocha. Kenny leaves behind his wife of 60 wonderful years, Ileen Jones. His boys Dale (Kathleen) Jones, David (Lori) Jones, Chris (Robin) Jones, and Kevin (Faith) Jones; his grandchildren, Trinity Jones (Chandler), Dulany (Trent) Pires, Griffith Jones (Valerie), Trent Jones, Samantha Jones (Chris), Amanda Jones, Anthony Jones, Kinnedi Jones, Colby Jones, Hank Jones, Jaycee Jones, Wyatt Jones, and Tessa Jones; great grandchildren, Aires Andrade, Emerson Jones, Roxyn Pires and Cruz Jones due in February; his brother Larry (Carolyn) Jones; his sisters in law Dianna Lancaster, Nancy (Bill) Royer, Judy (Tony) Fontes and brother in law Rick (Rita) Rocha.
Catholic Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 11:00 am at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Lemoore with burial immediately following at Lemoore Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Cancer Society or to the charity of your choice.