Harold Jones
January 23, 1935 — April 27, 2016
Harold E. “Gene” Jones, 81, a resident of Bettendorf, Iowa died peacefully at home on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 after a 16-month battle with leukemia..
A service to celebrate his life will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 3834 Rockingham Rd. in Davenport. He will be laid to rest at Davenport Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Friday at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home of Bettendorf. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church.
He was born January 23, 1935 in Van Duser, Missouri, the son of Rev. Fee and Effie (Price) Jones. On June 28, 1958, he was united in holy matrimony to Dorothy Haugen at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Blessed to share life together for 58 years, they showed us every day what love looks like.
Gene was a member of Bettendorf High School’s first graduating class in 1952. After serving in the U.S. Army, he joined Alcoa, working in the foil mill. He later worked as a machinist at the Rock Island Arsenal and retired from Illinois Tool Works (Signode) in 1997.
Most important to him was time spent with his family – not just special events, but ordinary days. He enjoyed camping, fishing, pontoon boat rides with his grandkids, planting a bountiful garden, and sitting in the front yard of his river house with family and friends, watching the Mississippi River roll by. For more than twenty-five years, he pitched in local fast pitch softball leagues.
A faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, he served the Lord and his fellow church members in many roles, including elder and Bible Study leader.
He was a dearly loved husband to Dorothy; a beloved father to Deborah (Douglas) Dayman, Chris (Kathryn) Jones and Stephanie (Stephen) Dougherty. He loved and enjoyed his grandchildren; Erik (Stephanie) Jones, Stacy (Jacob) Moore, Benjamin, Kathryn and Brian Dayman; Shannon, Jamie and Jacob Dougherty; and Ada Duncan. He also was blessed with great-grandchildren, Maggie and Logan Jones and Baby Moore (expected in June). He is also survived by his wonderful sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, many cousins, dear friends and a special aunt, Lois Jones.
His parents; an infant brother; and brother, Donald “Red” Jones preceded him in death.
The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Sy and his staff for the wonderful and compassionate care shown during Gene’s illness.