Duane Jones, 73

On Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, Duane Ray Jones joined his wife, Debra Jones, after a 14-month battle with brain cancer.

Duane was born Nov. 27, 1952, to Gerald and Dorthy Jones in Nampa, Idaho.

He grew up on a farm north of Nampa in the Franklin community along with his older sister, Corene Jones-Litteer. Duane graduated from Vallivue High School in 1971. He then attended the University of Idaho on a scholarship from the Bureau of Mines to get his mining engineering degree.

He met the love of his life, Debra Schmidt, in the summer of 1973, thanks to a blind date set up by mutual friends. Duane and Debra were married Dec. 30, 1976.

Duane worked at several of the Silver Valley mines until the mines closed down in the early '80s. He then worked at the Bureau of Mines in Spokane. Later, Duane and Debra opened their own pellet stove store, “Energy King,” in Post Falls. After the closing of their pellet stove store, Duane worked various manufacturing jobs until he retired.

Duane and Debra were blessed with the birth of their son, Travis Jones, in 1990. Duane coached Travis through multiple seasons of Little League baseball, helped with Travis's Boy Scout troop meetings, and was a Mariners and Seahawks fan. Later in life, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, taking long local scenic drives, and working in computer science.

He is survived by his son, Travis Jones (wife Tia), their two children, Lillian and Zachary, his sister, Corene Jones-Litteer, and a host of friends.

A graveside celebration of life will be held Friday, Sept. 25, at 11 a.m., at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, Duane's family requests you make a donation to Orchard Ridge Senior Living. Please view and sign Duane's online guestbook at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.