Cleland A. Jones, born 8 Jan 1926, to Mary Ashton and Brig Jones, died at home with family at his bedside, 20 May 2017 at the age of 91.

There were eight children born into the Jones family: Faye, Alta, Sylvia, Avon, Cleland, Leland, Norma and Lawana. Cleland and Leland were twins and Cleland was always proud to say he was 12 minutes older. The family farmed and only went to town about once a month.

He lived most of the time in a rock house in Cherry Creek. The house only had two bedrooms. One for their parents the other had two beds one for the girls and one for the boys.

One sport Cleland enjoyed as a teenager was boxing and that even continued into the service. Cleland quit high school in his second year. He couldn’t keep up with school work and work the farm too.

Cleland joined the Navy on the 5th of January 1944, four days before he turned 18. He boxed in the 118-pound class. The Navy guys called him Wild Cat Jones. He served in many countries and battles while in the Navy. He received an honorable discharge from the Navy on April 1946.

Having a hard time finding a good job, he joined the Army January 10, 1947. He had just met Neva prior to joining the Army and they wrote to each other until he got a leave. They got married on the last three days of his leave August 12, 1947. Cleland returned without Neva but did find an apartment and sent for her.

They lived in San Antonio, Texas and Cleland became a Flight Surgeon Assistant and enjoyed it very much. Their first child Marilyn was born on March 28, 1949 at Fort Sam Houston.

He then went to Flight Assistant school and promoted to Staff Sergeant October 15, 1948. He was discharged from the Army Air Corps on Jan 8, 1950. Joined the Air Force February 2, 1950. They moved to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.

On June 12, 1951, he had to report to Japan. Neva and Marilyn stayed in Malad while Cle was in Japan. In Dec. 1952, he took a 30 day leave and the family moved to Edward’s Air Force Base in California. On November 20, 1953 Randy Cle Jones was born. A daughter was still born on Dec. 1955. They named her Kaye Marie.

Cle finally retired in California, from the Air Force on Nov. 1, 1964. In Sep. 1966, he worked in civil service at Hill Air Force Base. Their third living child was a little surprise named Jackie Lynn born on July 1967.

After moving back to Malad, they became active in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Cleland was a Sunday School Councilor in 1977, he was a Financial Clerk in the Cherry Creek Ward, and president of the Sunday School in the 5th Ward. Neva and Cleland were sealed in the Logan Temple for Eternity on May 5, 1989. He remained active in the 5th ward until his health and hearing failed him.

Cleland is survived by his wife: Neva W. Jones, daughter: Marilyn Craig Jones, sister: Luanna Jones Clontz, grandsons: Eli Jones, Jesse Jones, Tyler Strickland, granddaughters: Michaelle Batson, Cherai Corona, Tessa and Terra Strickland, great-grandchildren: Nikki Davis, Carly and Bailey Greiling, Coby and Taylor Batson and Penelope Gaytan

Cleland was preceded in death by his parents, children Randy and Jackie Jones, six siblings, and two grandchildren. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 25 at 1:00 p.m. in the Horsley Funeral Home, 132 W. 300 N. in Malad. Friends may visit with the family from 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Malad Cemetery.