Charles Edward Jones

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GUERNSEY – Graveside services for Charles Edward “Ed” Jones, 81, were 10 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, at Prairie Rest Cemetery near Guernsey, with the Rev. Bill Walker officiating.

Ed Jones had a heart of gold. His family always came first even before his own needs.  It wasn’t just his family he was there for; he would help anyone who was down and out on their luck.  Often while running the gas station, men passing through town would come in needing a warm meal, or he would get a call in the middle of the night from somebody who was stranded and needed gas. Ed wouldn’t hesitate to take and feed them or open up the station so they could get gas. At times strangers would wander off the highway up to his home needing a place to stay or just something to drink. He always lent a helping hand, whether it was a stranger or a friend of his children that needed a little help.     

Charles Edward “Ed” Jones, 81, joined his heavenly Father on Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, at the Central Wyoming Hospice Home in Casper.

Ed was born Thursday, Oct. 6, 1938 in Hartville, the son of Charles Martin and Cecilia (Conners) Jones.

He grew up in Guernsey, and graduated from Guernsey High School in 1957. After graduation, he joined the Naval Air branch of the Navy where he served for ten years and was stationed in California, Nashville, Tennessee, Kingsville, Texas, and Dallas, Texas. 

He met the love of his life, Cleo Hearne, on a blind date while stationed in Texas.  Ed and Cleo were married three months later on May 26, 1961. Eventually they returned to his hometown of Guernsey, where he raised his three children. 

Ed worked many jobs over the years including as a police officer for the town of Guernsey, a mechanic for both Larsen’s and Gorman’s car dealerships. Later he ran the Texaco and Conoco Stations where he also repaired and painted cars for 15 years. While running the stations, Ed drove school bus and activity bus for the school where he influenced many young lives. 

He also moonlighted as a security guard. He went to work for the Burlington Northern Railroad in 1979 and retired from the railroad in 2000. 

Ed was admired and looked up to by many people he mentored or helped over the years. He was always teaching his kids, grandkids and their friends, or even his employees how to fix, build, or repair something.  It may have been how to repair a car or build a fence, trailer or a shop, or how to roof a house. He was a jack of all trades and shared his knowledge with anyone willing to learn or help out.  

He was always taking in a relative or one of the kids’ friends, letting them live at his home when they needed help, a place to stay, or a mentor. Ed enjoyed going to the mountains and camping and fishing. All of his children and grandkids became experts at building a campfire and cleaning brookies at the end of a day of fishing. He also loved hunting every fall, but his true passion was classic cars. He loved fixing them up and going to car shows with his good friends.

Ed is survived by his wife of 59 years, Cleo Jones; three children, Donna (Tom) Atwood, Edward (Anna) Jones, and Carmen (Paul) Badger;  grandchildren, Chris (Aubrey) Atwood, Chance Atwood, Colter Atwood, Cameron (Jayde) Atwood, Casey (Jessica) Jones, Jennifer Jones, Justin Jones, Brendon Lujan, Ryan (Breanna) Lujan, Jessie Lujan and Skylar Badger; great-grandchildren, Jordan, Alexis and Kiarah Atwood, and Sebastian Jones; and a sister, Peggy Jones. 

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Pearl Jones, and a sister, Elizabeth Russell.

A memorial to the Our Saviour Episcopal Church, East Main Street and Lincoln, Hartville, Wyoming 82215 would be appreciated by the family.

The Gorman Funeral Homes – Platte Chapel of Wheatland are in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.gormanfh.com.