Walter L. Jones
Walter LeRoy Jones was born October 10th, 1942, in Cambridge, NE to Marion E. Jones and Helen (Johnson) Jones.
He died on September 19th, 2024 at his home in West Des Moines, IA at age 81.
He grew to manhood on a farm a few miles southwest of Cambridge surrounded by numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. Walt cherished his memories of attending a one-room elementary school and his days at Cambridge Public Schools through his graduation in 1960. Walt received his undergraduate degree from Doane College in Crete, NE, and then enrolled in Kearney State College to earn his teaching credentials. In 1968, Walt participated in a one-year graduate program at Tuskeegee Institute in Alabama through a National Science Foundation grant to earn his Masters of Science Education. Walt taught math and science in Stamford, NE schools for three years and then at McCook Community College for three years.
He then began working as a field representative for Farmers Mutual Hail Insurance Co in Southeast and North Central Nebraska until 1985, when he transferred to the FMH home office in Des Moines to head up the Research and Development Department.
Retiring in 2004, he carried fond memories of his work and the people he worked with.
Walt was married to Joyce Zink Jones in 1965 and the couple had two daughters, Jenelle (Jeff) Fitch of Des Moines and Gay (Matt) Laughlin of Carlisle.
Three grandchildren joined the family: Grady Laughlin of Atlanta, GA, Maisie Laughlin of Iowa City, and Jack Laughlin of Iowa City. Walt was a compassionate and attentive father and grandfather. He enjoyed attending the grandchildren’s recitals, concerts, and baseball and football games, and they cherished his company.
In retirement, Walt enjoyed his coffee group at Dahl’s, and later, Perkins. He had many friends at the Elks Lodge #2752 and enjoyed sharing tomatoes from his large garden there and with neighbors from the Patricia Park area of Urbandale where he and Joyce lived for nearly forty years.
Walt was a long-time member of the Urbandale Lions Club and he was passionate about donating blood as often as he could. Despite battling hearing loss, Walt sustained a lasting interest in woodworking, gardening, mowing, shooting, and golf.
He was fond of Husker football, IH tractors, and World War II history.
Most of all, he was an impeccable example to his kids and grandkids.
Walt was proceeded in death by his parents, brother, Larry and sisterin-law Retha Jones, brothers-in-law, Roger Zink, Wayne Zink, and Tracy Deminski. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by a sister, Connie Deminski, of Omaha, uncle, Lyle (Jo) Jones of Glenwood, IA, sister-in-law, Nona Zink of McCook, NE, and many nieces and nephews.
Walt has requested cremation and that no services be held. The family will announce a Celebration of Life at a future date.
Memorials may be directed to the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry Network, where Walt was a former board member.
