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Col. Travis O. Jones Jr. (Ret.)

Col. Travis O. Jones Jr. (Ret.), devoted husband of 50 years to his wife, Cherry Jones, a father of two sons and a grandparent, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 1, 2018, surrounded by his family at Kootenai Health Center. His passing was due to natural causes.

Travis was born into humble circumstances to Travis Jones Sr. and Willie Odessa Jones, the oldest of four children, on July 21, 1944, in West Monroe, La., where he was educated and raised. After graduation from college with a degree in English and history, he enlisted in the USAF in 1964, soon thereafter commissioning into active duty as a second lieutenant. He retired after 27 years of active service at the rank of Colonel. Professionally, Travis Jones’ lifetime was distinguished as a decorated USAF Officer and a combat aviation veteran of the Vietnam War. First he completed his training as a navigator, followed by service as an Air Force pilot, assuming various commands. He concluded his active duty career as division commander at McClellan Air Force Base, Calif., in 1992.

Following retirement from active duty, Travis Jones moved with his wife to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where he lived the remaining 25 years of his life. While residing in Idaho, Travis continued various professional endeavors, which included serving as the manager of the Spokane Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for four years, eventually entering full retirement.

During his lifetime as a devoted father and husband while in service to his country, Travis shared his love of the Lord by raising his family in the church. He gave faithfully to the ministry, serving in the congregation and in volunteer work, which included being a choir member, teaching Sunday School and as a local AWANA club Sparky leader. His other interests included working for AWANA International as a writer and developer of course material. He completed his work there by writing Art Rorheim’s biography. Locally he developed and taught a course of Bible history at various churches in the area. Before the time of his death, he had been serving as a deacon at Hayden Bible Church. He served as a volunteer at Kootenai Health for several years. He was the chairman of the board for Northwest Sacred Music Chorale during the formative stages.

Col. Travis O. Jones (Ret.) is survived by his wife, Cherry Jones; brothers, David (Carol) and Richard (Jane); sons, Stephen (Christy) and Carey; grandchildren, Jeremiah, Calvin, Abby, Logan and Paesha.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Nelda.

The life of Col. Travis O. Jones (Ret.) will memorialized with full Military Honors and a celebration service at 1 p.m. on May 5, 2018, at Hayden Lake Bible Church, followed by a reception. In appreciation of the final wishes of Travis Jones, the family requests that in lieu of sending flowers or gifts, that donations be made to the Hayden Lake Bible Church in support of continuing the sound instruction of Scripture and the work of the ministry.