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Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, August 12, 2020 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

Kadoka City Auditorium
Kadoka, South Dakota

Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota
A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, at the Kadoka City Auditorium in Kadoka.



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In memory of

James L. "Jim" Jones

of Kadoka, South Dakota, died on Thursday, August 6, 2020 as a result of a work accident in rural Kadoka at the age of 54

James “Jim” Louis Jones was born on May 27, 1966 in Valentine, Nebraska, to Larry and Rose Ann (Gehlsen) Jones. Jim and his twin brother, John, were welcomed home by sister, Michelle. Later the family grew to include Deanne and Valerie.

Jim spent his first years growing up on his grandparents' ranch south of Mission. In August of 1973, his parents purchased a ranch and moved the family to southern Todd County near the community of Littleburg. Jim loved living in the country and growing up on the ranch taking care of cattle and working in the hayfield. Being in the country meant the Jones kids had to create their own entertainment. The ideas they came up with were not always the safest, but they did manage to keep their parents on high alert.

Jim attended Mission Elementary School for two years and then attended Littleburg Country School for grades second through eighth. His freshman year of high school was spent at Eau Claire Lutheran School in Wisconsin. He returned to Todd County High School the next year and graduated in 1984.

After high school, Jim helped on the family ranch and the family owned bowling alley and lumber yard. One day at the lumberyard, someone brought in a lineman’s belt and hooks to sell. Jim bought them and enrolled in the power line program at Mitchell Vo-Tech. He graduated from the program in 1986.

On November 1, 1986 Jim married Robyn Osburn at Mission. They were blessed with sons, Tyler James, Michael Ray, and Tanner Louis. His children were his greatest joy, he loved being their dad and was always enormously proud of them.

Jim began his lineman career at Cherry-Todd Electric in Mission where he worked for 10 years. In April 1996 Jim accepted a job at West Central Electric as an outpost lineman in Kadoka. Jim loved building line and always accepted the challenge of the storm jobs eagerly as a test of his skills. He was an excellent lineman and always put the consumers first. After 31 years, Jim retired from line work in February 2018.

Staying idle was not part of Jim’s life and he soon started down a new path working for West River Excavation in March 2018. Working at Coller’s shop was a new experience. It was hard work, but it included teamwork and friendship. Working alongside Tanner was the greatest benefit of all. Coller’s provided Jim with flexibility in the job so he was able to spend more time with his family. Last spring, he took seven months to help his father-in-law, Ray, and brother-in-law, Danny, on his ranch south of Wood Lake, Nebraska.

Jim genuinely loved to be with his family. He never missed any of the boys' games or a rodeo. He loved to be able to help the boys with everything. Whether it was fixing a pickup, welding in the garage, or out riding on cattle, this is where Jim wanted to be. Whenever the boys would pull into the driveway with a trailer, Jim would always check the lights and made sure they were all working before they left. Many times, his phone would ring, and it would be his boys asking questions, needing help, or just wanting to visit, and this always put a big smile on his face.

Jim always felt blessed with having boys, but his heart filled with more love when his sons picked Kylie and Emma to be his daughters. Jim’s love grew even more when Kelton and Raeleen arrived. They melted his heart and he was so proud to be their Papa. He loved to be with them and was anxiously awaiting a new baby girl to snuggle.

Jim and Robyn loved being together. As a family they worked together remodeling their house and so many memories were made. Robyn was always coming up with new project ideas and although Jim may be hesitant at first but would soon realize that she could not do it without him, and he would help her out.

Jim always had time and wanted to help anyone. He had a giving heart and cared for so many. He always made everyone feel welcome at his home and he would travel anywhere needed to help someone out. He will truly be missed by many but will live on in our hearts forever.

Jim is survived by his wife Robyn of Kadoka; sons: Tyler Jones, Michael (Kylie) Jones, and Tanner (fiancé Emma) all of Kadoka; grandchildren: Kelton, Raeleen and Baby Girl arriving in September; his parents Larry and Rose Ann Jones of Mission; brother John (Julie) Jones of Mission; sisters: Michelle Jones of California, Deanne Jones of Omaha, and Valerie (Don) Phillips of Omaha, mother-in-law, Florence Osburn of Valentine; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephew, and cousins.

Jim is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents LE and Florence Jones; maternal grandparents Carl and Josephine Gehlsen; father-in-law, Ray Osburn; sister-in-law, Debra Osburn; and cousins: Craig Reagle and Duane Martin Rahn.

Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 11, at the Kadoka City Auditorium.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 12, at the Kadoka City Auditorium, with Ken Toews officiating.

Interment will follow at the Kadoka Cemetery.

VISITATION
Tuesday, August 11, 2020 - 6-8 p.m.
Kadoka City Auditorium
Kadoka, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE
Wednesday, August 12, 2020 - 10:00 a.m.
Kadoka City Auditorium
Kadoka, South Dakota

OFFICIATING
Ken Toews

MUSIC
Colby and Teresa Shuck - Musicians
"The Lessons I Learned From You"
"I'll Fly Away"

USHERS
Chad Reagle - Clay Reagle
Joe Pavlas - Mike Trapp - Tanner O'Daniel

PALLBEARERS
John Herber - Jim Herber - Marlin Wiedman - Cam Uhlir
Sauntee Coller - Craig Coller - Richard Jobgen
Devin Osburn - Brett Bonenberger - Kade Bonenberger

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

INTERMENT
Kadoka Cemetery
Kadoka, South Dakota

  • Saw the obituary in the Todd County Tribune-so sorry for your lose-God will bless you in your time of grief. ~ Tedd & Jodee Gassman Scarville, Iowa (8/20/2020)
  • So so sorry Robyn & Family. Jim will be greatly missed! Lots of love hugs and prayers of comfort to you all! ~ John and Kristi Brown Shelton Wa. (8/12/2020)
  • Robyn and family,
    You are in our thoughts and prayers.     ~ Jim, Tresea & Jacob Matney Salina, KS (8/12/2020)
  • Robyn and Family, find comfort in prayer, family and friends. Jim was a good man and will be greatly missed so hold on to and share the memories. You and your family are in my prayers for comfort and strength to endure thru all the pain. ~ Jim Russell Sturgis sd (8/12/2020)
  • Robin and family, we are heartbroken about Jim. Sending thoughts, hugs, and many prayers. ~ Justin and Joyce Wheeler Philip SD (8/11/2020)
  • Robyn and Family, Our hearts are so sad with your loss of Jim, a guy with his love for people and family are hard to come by these days. He was honest as the day is long and had a heart so big. We send our love and prayers. God bless and keep you all. Love Chris and Diana ~ Chris and Diana Elwood Volborg, MT (8/11/2020)
  • So sorry for you Robyn and your entire family. I pray you'll be able to hold each other up through such a time as this. The whole community is praying for you all. ~ Sandy & Mark Eschenbacher Kadoka (8/11/2020)
  • Our condolences to the entire family. Prayers for everyone. May God wrap his arms around your and provide comfort to you. ~ Clarissa Wheeler Sand Springs, OK (8/11/2020)
  • Our Prayers for the families. So sorry to hear of your loss. May the memories keep your hearts happy. ~ Dorene Ribordy and James Falzgraf Aurora (8/10/2020)
  • Robyn and family,
    I am so terribly sorry to hear of Jim's unexpected passing. My heart goes out to all of you in difficult time. Jim was truly a one of a kind man, who always had a smile on his face and a firm handshake for anyone. Let God's arms wrap you in love and give you comfort as you endure the tough road ahead. Lean on family and friends, let us be your strength. Hold tight to the memories.
    My condolences to the family and friends of Jim. May he rest in peace.     ~ Ellie Bettelyoun Martin, SD (8/10/2020)
  • Robyn and family, We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep you all in our prayers. May God wrap you in his arms and comfort you all in the coming days. Blessings for you all. ~ Nathan & Brittney Drury Philip, South Dakota (8/10/2020)
  • I'm so incredibly sorry for your loss! The next minutes, hours, days and weeks will be so hard. Hold on to your friends and family for support. There will be a time when those memories will bring a smile instead of a tear. Constantly in our prayers! ~ Abbi McDaniel Philip (8/10/2020)
  • We wish we could take away your pain. Please know our prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. ~ Mark & Karen Hopkins Williamstown NJ (8/9/2020)
  • Robyn and family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Karen Byrd and family     ~ Karen Byrd Kadoka (8/9/2020)
  • Robyn, Tyler, Michael, Tanner and family. Our deepest sympathies for you in the loss of a great man. Jim will be deeply missed but he will live on in each of you. Praying for you all, and may God be with you through this difficult time. ~ Chad and Dana Eisenbraun Kadoka (8/9/2020)
  • My Condolences to the family. RIP my friend. ~ Mark Rogers Rosebud South Dakota (8/9/2020)
  • Our Prayers go out to the family. Deeply sorry for your loss. ~ Clayton and Andrea Word Ft. Rucker, Alabama (8/9/2020)
  • Prayers for the family ~ Ed and Kathy Chauncey Mission, SD (8/9/2020)
  • South Dakota 67577 ~ Mel and Marilyn Jorgensen Wanblee, SD (8/8/2020)
  • Robyn and family so very sorry for your loss. Our thought and prayers are with you at this difficult time. ~ Wes Donella Ross Millboro South Dakota (8/8/2020)
  • My heart is so sad for Robin, her children and grandchildren at the loss of your very special loved one. You are in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Patsy Gandcock Brighton, CO (8/8/2020)
  • Robyn and family, my heart is heavy for you in your loss. Know that you have many friends and people to lend support and may your memories of your good times help soothe your grief. ~ Eileen Stolley Kadoka, SD (8/8/2020)
  • Prairie prayers from Plainview coming your way. Remember the good times and always keep them in your heart. ~ Jim and Vonnie ODea Howes, SD (8/8/2020)
  • Robyn & family,
    My prayers are with all of you at this most difficult time. May you all hold your memories close to your hearts and find strength in each other. God Bless. Hugs friend!     ~ J’Nai Hauk Quinn, SD (8/8/2020)
  • So sorry for your loss Jim will be greatly missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Marie Reagle & Families Mission, SD (8/8/2020)
  • Dear Robyn & family,
    We were so saddened to learn of Jim's tragic death. I want you to know we are thinking of you and your family and praying for you as well. Our hearts hurt for you; no words can be adequate. Blessed be.     ~ Jeff & Kelly Penticoff Philip, SD (8/7/2020)
  • Robyn & Family - Jim was an exceptional young man and will be remembered by all who knew him. I Pray God will comfort all of you and surround you with His Strength and Grace ~ Jan Hewitt Philip, SD (8/7/2020)