Marwood Earl “Smokey” Jones of Lomond, Alberta passed away Sunday November 30, 2003 at the Lethbridge Regional Hospital at the age of 77 years.
Smokey was born October 7, 1926 in Bassano to Earl and Silva Jones. He attended Milo School and completed Grade 12 in Cluny. Having taken piano lessons at a very young age, he started his own orchestra when he was sixteen. At first they knew three pieces and played them over and over again at dances. The name of the band was the Smokerings and they became known for their dance music. Besides playing the piano, Smokey would often switch to the drums or saxophone.
Smokey and Leona Field got married on May 2, 1947. They lived in Milo for the first few years. When he wasn’t farming he assisted his father with the hotel and the John Deere dealership in Milo. From 1951 to 1959 Smokey commuted from Milo to Lomond to farm his parents land . In 1959 he moved to the Lomond farm.
While in Lomond, Smokey became an active member of the Lomond Lions club in 1960, serving as president from 1966 to 1967. He was also a member of the Lomond Community Center Hall Board for over 20 years. He served as Vulcan County Councillor for Division 6 for 18 years.
Smokey was also very sports minded. He started curling in high school and his rinks became well known throughout Southern Alberta. Always wearing his white Stetson, he skipped many winning rinks over the years such as second in the Lethbridge Shirtsleeve and Medicine Hat Grand Aggregate in 1957. Smokey also played, reffed and coached hockey. In his younger years he played baseball and later on announced ball games, adding much humor for players and fans.
Smokey loved his family, the land, his community and always worked hard to make it the best of all.
Beloved husband of wife Leona of Lomond, loving father of two daughters Linda (Desmond) Crawford of Rocky Mountain House, Leanne Smith of Lethbridge, two sons Jim (Penny) of Lomond, Bob (Diane) of Rocky Mountain House, seven grandchildren Stephen Crawford of Rocky Mountain House, Denise (Ken) Slager of Caroline, Bryce and Cole Smith of Lethbridge, Craig Jones of Rocky Mountain House, Bruce Jones of Lomond and Katrina (Brad) Koch of Lomond; four great-grandchildren Zabrina and Dalton Slager of Caroline, McKenzie and Dakota Koch of Lomond; a special friend Llewellyn “Welchy” Hughes of Coaldale; a sister-in-law Eileen (Al) Lewis of Princeton, BC, a brother-in-law Bob Field of Calgary, numerous nieces and nephews.
Smokey was predeceased by two grandsons, David Crawford and Chad Jones; a sister Iva (Einar) Huovila and his parents.
Funeral service Thursday, December 4, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. at the Bethany Lutheran Church, Lomond with Rev. Ed Summers officiating.
Lions Honor Guard Burt Hingley, Oliver Hart, Floyd Howg, Marvin Henrickson, Jerry Root and Ron Schlaht.
Honorary Bearers Katrina Koch, Denise Slager, Bryce Jones and Cole Smith.
Casket bearers Bruce Jones, Craig Jones, Stephen Crawford, Ken Slager, Brad Koch and Randy Schlaht.
Internment Lomond Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, tributes in Smokey’s memory can be made to the Lomond Bethany Lutheran Church, Box 238, Lomond T0L 1G0
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.