Harlan Leroy Jones, age 88, passed away January 20th, 2019 surrounded by family and friends.
Harlan was born September 19, 1930 in Anabel, Missouri to LeeRoy and Edith (Sumpter) Jones.
Harlan graduated from Bevier High School in 1949.
Harlan married Betty Tate on January 24th, 1950. Harlan and Betty had 3 children; Gary Lee, Randal Harlan, and Debra Lynn. They resided in Missouri until 1953 when they moved to Montana where Harlan worked on the Lester Tate and Burt Kaufman ranches. He later opened a small garage across the highway from the Tate ranch until a tornado took it. They moved to Alzada where Harlan worked at the Alzada garage. He then moved to Broadus, where Harlan worked in the Ford Garage before buying Bandy drilling. Harlan, along with his son Gary and many loyal employees drilled many wells in Montana and North Dakota.
Harlan wore many hats in his working years. He drove truck for Gib Lloyd and Charlie Stabio in the winter months. He worked on oil rigs in Wyoming and later opened his own mechanic shop. Harlan and Jack Ridenour opened Powder River Rebuilders and sold and repaired Toro lawnmowers and other lawn equipment.
The loss of his first wife, Betty, in 1984 was devastating. He went on to marry Peggy Deibel and gained 4 stepdaughters; Jackee Randall, Wendee Essex, Karalee Fritz, and Kristee Weischedel.
Harlan loved to buy old tractors and restore them. Model trains were also a passion of his.
Harlan is preceded in death by his parents LeeRoy and Edith, wife Betty, infant son Randall, and grandsons Shane and Collin Jones, and wife Peggy. He is survived by son Gary (Linda) Jones, daughter Debbie (Kelly) Jones, grandchildren Cory (Nikki) Jones, Echo Jones, Nick (Ashley) Jones, great grandchildren Sami, Emme, and Shale Jones, Bailey Yarber and Carter Metcalf, Matazie and Gage Jones. Jackie (Craig) Randall and family, Wendy (Aaron) Essex and family,
Karalee (Warren) Fritz and family, Kristie (Ward) Weischedel and family, Dana Morrell, Taylor and family, Jodi (Ryan) Rookhuizen and family.
Memorial donations may be made to Special K Ranch in Columbus, MT or Farm in The Dell in Broadus, MT, or any other charity of your choice.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 24, 2019 from 1-6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Bible Church in Broadus. Condolences to the family may be sent by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 24, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, MT
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday January 24, 2019
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Broadus, MT
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Vanna Byrd says
Oh my. I’m so very sorry. Hugs and prayers my dear friends.
Tracy Vail says
Sorry for your loss… Hugs and Prayers to your family…💜
SALLY A. BORLA says
SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT HARLAN; I REMEMBER HARLAN AND HIS FAMILY YEARS AGO AT THE BOYES DANCES. HE WAS SUCH A NICE MAN AND WILL BE MISSED–THE LAST TIME I TALKED TO HIM HE TOLD ME HE REALLY ENJOYED WATCHING ALL THE CATS COME RUNNING WHEN I SHOWED UP WITH FOOD FOR THEM–GLAD HE ENJOYED THAT-GOD BLESS AND PRAYERS TO ALL HIS FAMILY.
Joyce says
So sorry for your loss Debbie. I remember your dad. Well we lived next door. My dad and your dad talked mechanics. I just remember that I thought he was kinda a quiet man. But I was kinda scared of him cause he was such a big tall man. But I can see his smile. He was a nice gentle man. Prayers for you and your family.
Skin and Betty Collins says
Prayer and thoughts to Harlan’s family. Skin and I have a lot of good memories of him through the years. He is out of pain now. Hugs.
Shirley Wood says
With sympathy and prayers for the family of Harlan. He married my dear friend Peggy in 1986. I sang at their wedding and enjoyed visits over the years. May he mnow Rest In Peace
Shirley Oscarson Wood
Vic and Laura Lee Ullrich says
Sending our deepest sympathy to all Harlan’s family and friends. He was a gentle man with a knack for telling wonderful stories (especially about his beloved Missouri). W e will lift your family up in prayers for healing and comfort. Enjoy the happy memories you have of Harlan.
Kirk and Ann Will (Schneidt) says
Our thoughts and prayers are with Harlan’s family. Harlan was a very nice quiet man with a huge heart. My dad and Harlan use to visit across the fence quite often. He was a good friend and neighbor. May he Rest In Peace. Harlan will always be with you in your hearts. May your memories give you some peace in the coming days.
Dan & Sheri Gali says
So sorry for your loss . Hugs to you all! RIP Harlan
Joe Stuver says
I rind it extremely difficult to express my deep sense of empty loss at the passing of Harlan. I was fortunate to have Gary as a good friend while I was growing up, and spent considerable time around his finest of families. Harlan was a good man; a kind man; an honest and hard working man and a man with a really sweet sense of humor. I will truly miss you Harlan, and feel only sorrow at your passing, and regret that I am so far away during your services.
Ern and Esther says
We send our prayers and sympathy in this sad time of your life. He was a good man and friend . Comfort to you Debbie and you Deed ,.In your loss of your loved one
Karen Gunther says
Harlan was a very special man, I lived by him and Betty for many years and enjoyed my visits to them, then when he married Peggy I had many more visits and then in the Nursing home many more visits, he will be missed, Comfort to Debbie and Gary.
Phillip Weber says
Harlan lived down the road from us He was a stroung man he would carry me half whay home from school
Veda Hurst says
Gary and Debbie, I am so sorry for your loss, he was a fine man. I have great memories of your folks taking us to all the dances and what a great time we had. And so many more. With love to you and your families. Veda
Tom and Lillian Ostendorf says
So sorry for your loss.
Carmen and Brad Knutson says
Our hearts are filled with the sadness of losing another one of our Treasures. We feel so blessed and honored to have called Harlan our friend. The end of the hallway will sure be quiet without Harlan there and his partners in crime telling tales. We will remember a good, kind man that had a laugh that was so contagious! Shine on dear friend.
Tom and Ann Emmons says
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. God Bless.
Arlen and Alice Miller says
our thoughts and prayers to the family, My husband Arlen worked for him when he did drilling in North Dakota , Our daughter always kept us posted, He was a great man God Bless