Jones_Kleal_10 November 1923
Kleal H. Jones, 85, of Blackfoot passed away Friday, May 8, 2009 at his home in Blackfoot, Idaho.
He was born November 10, 1923 to Morgan T. and Rosella Harris Jones in Malad, Idaho.
Kleal grew up and attended school in Malad. Summers were spent working on his uncle’s ranch in the Elkhorn area above Malad. While attending Malad High School he enjoyed all sports and played basketball, football and baseball. After graduation, Kleal enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the South Pacific as a submariner during World War 11. He was discharged in 1946 and then attended the University of Idaho on the G.I. bill. While at the U. of I. Kleal was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and graduated with a business degree.
Kleal married Leah Thomas on June 7, 1955 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. They lived in Idaho Falls where Kleal owned and ran a Conoco station and then worked for the Atomic Energy Commission at the site. In 1962 they moved to the Wapello area. Kleal worked for American Potato and farmed. He retired from Basic American Foods in 1985.
He was a member of the Malad American Legion post and the Blackfoot Elks Lodge.
Kleal enjoyed hunting, fishing, horseback riding and watching sports. He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s ball games. He was very proud of his grandkids academic and athletic achievements. Farming and ranching were his true passion. He always had a horse, Hereford cows and he loved animals.
He is survived by is wife, Leah T. Jones, son, Larry K. Jones, daughters: Susan Jones Rodriquez and Jane (Shawn) Hill, six grandchildren: Sierra Rodriquez, Teresa Rodriquez, Marlissa Rodriquez, Dusti Rodriquez, Jordan Hill and Josh Hill; and one great-grandson, Jaiden Rodriquez.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Morgan Jones and sisters, Delores Jones and Alberta Tovey.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday May 14, 2009 at Hawker Funeral Home. The family will meet with friends and relatives from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, May 13, 2009, and again for one hour prior to services at the funeral home.
The family would like to thank Blackfoot Home Health and Hospice with a special thanks to Shirley Bailey.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to Blackfoot Home Health and Hospice.