Gary C. Jones of Hermiston died on Dec. 27, 2023 in Hermiston at the age of 80.
He was born on Jan. 23, 1943 in Eugene to Gerald and Elsie Perry Jones.
Gary was raised in Walla Walla, Wash. (eight years), Loma Linda, Calif. (3.5 years) and Portland (4.5 years). He graduated from Portland Union Academy in 1962. He attended Walla Walla College, where he focused on his degree in art.
Gary moved to Fort Collins, Colo. and married Shari Sue Lee, where he and his three children, Darby, Jamie and Gary Jr., resided. Gary moved to Hermiston in the mid-1980s and worked in the service department for Swain Motors for 20 years before retiring. He was a car enthusiast who enjoyed hot rods, mechanic-ing and NASCAR and was a talented artist. Gary was a member of the Local Car Club and Good Guys Car Club; he and Gary Jr. attended many cars shows and events.
He is survived by his daughter, Jamie Alexander-Kvitne and her husband Albert, Onalaska, Wis.; sons, Darby Jones and his wife Carol, Umatilla and Gary Jones Jr., Hermiston; brothers, Perry Jones, Hermiston and Barton Jones, Walla Walla, Wash.; sister, Teri Robins, Milton-Freewater; grandchildren, Chloe, Nick, Alexus and Leslie; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents. A celebration gathering will be held.
Please share memories of Gary with his family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
