“90 Years of Good Living”
Idaho Enterprise, 6 May 1982
(Photo of Lawrence Jones, Idaho Bank & Trust of Idaho)
(Photo of Marie Jones and her husband, Lawrence)
Banker, sheepman, automobile dealer, theater owner, “doughboy.” “It’s been a good life,” according to Lawrence Jones, who celebrated his ninetieth birthday Wednesday, April 28.
A reception was held for him and his wife, Marie, that afternoon in the lobby of the First Bank and Trust. They were thrilled with the many friends who came to pay their respects.
Hale and hearty, Jones is a familiar sight as he walks about town to work, home for lunch, and then another walk after he leaves the office. He is at his desk every day for about six hours and attends board meetings regularly. Past winters have been spent in Arizona, but the home there is being closed.
Elizabeth Morgan, Customer Service Officer, noted that Jones is always “even-tempered and congenial – and concerned about the employees and their families, inquiring often about their health and welfare.”
Of Welsh ancestry, his ancestors came to this valley to settle, but disagreeing with pioneer leaders, travelled on to Oregon. Before the great-grandparents died, they requested that their descendants return to Malad City.
University Graduate
Born in the family home on Main Street, Jones attended elementary school in Malad and the two years of high school then offered. In order to qualify for college entrance, he spent two years at the Agricultural College (now Utah State University), followed by four years at the University of Utah, graduating with a B.S. degree in general education.
World War II erupted and Jones enlisted in the United States Infantry, spending 18 months in France as a “doughboy.” “It was a tough lot. I was right in the front – ended up on the Rhine River in Germany.”
Home from the war, he now became an automobile dealer in addition to operating the Star Theater with Brother Jedd.
Sheepman
The life that he liked the most now began to emerge – sheepman. Always gathering up sheep, he acquired land in Star Valley. The Jones Sheep Company was formed in 1932, with 2,350 head of sheep, purchased in small numbers from local farmers and ranchers, paying $2.50 and up per head.
At first Jones hired all American sheepherders, but learning through the California Sheep Association of the loyalty and dedication of the Basque sheepherders, he made arrangements to hire herders from the Pyrenees mountains of the Spanish-French border, and was the first in Idaho to bring them here. True to their reputation, they proved capable and dependable – staying many years before visiting or returning home. Neighbors will remember Johnny and Jess Echandia, who stayed for 22 years.
Outdoor Man
Twice Jones “sold out” in the sheep business – in the early fifties and finally in 1973. He loves the out-of-doors, riding horses and working with animals. This is where some of his fondest memories lie.
The First National Bank had been founded in Malad City in 1907 by his father, Jedd Jones, Sr. He was succeeded by Jedd Jr. in 1938. At Jedd, Jr.’s death in 1944, following a long illness, Lawrence Jones now found himself heading a long-established banking firm.
Wed 60 Years
Family has always been important. He and Marie (Covert) celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary in 1981. To the marriage were born four daughters and one son: Alice Marie, Jean and Jane (twins), Julie, and Lawrence, Jr. There are seventeen grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Life has not been without sorrow. His only son was taken at…(paragraph ends here).
After the family dinner Saturday, Jones reminisced gratefully “No one has had a better life.” Wife Marie praised those who work with him. “They are all such good help-wonderful people, loyal and faithful.”