Dan Jones: December 16, 1951 – January 30, 2025

Dan Jones, a man of many talents, good humor, and an ever-present love for adventure, passed away January 30, 2025. Born on December 16, 1951, to Woodrow and Zelda Bryan Jones in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Dan lived a life full of love, laughter, and just the right amount of mischief. From a young age, he was known for his sense of humor and his love for anything with an engine—whether it was a car, a tractor, or the occasional auction find that needed "rescuing" (no one quite knew how many "rescued" animals he was hiding in the barn).

Dan grew up on a farm near Barnes City before moving to Grinnell, where he graduated high school in 1970. He then set off to Omaha Trade School to pursue his passion for fixing things—be it cars or life itself. He was the last young man drafted from Poweshiek County and served in the U.S. Army from 1971-1973, where he earned the respect of his comrades and probably a few laughs too, with his uncanny ability to make light of any situation.

During his leave, Dan married Joan Dawson on November 20, 1971, and together they created a beautiful life, raising two wonderful children, Matthew and Angela. Anyone who knew Dan knew that his family was his pride and joy. He was known for supporting his kids (and later his grandkids) through every sport, event, and adventure. But let's be honest, if there was a contest involved—like who could catch the most fish at "Gramps and G'ma Summer Day Camp"—Dan was always up for a little friendly competition. And if there was a winner (or a loser), the ice cream came out, and that was the true prize.

An avid outdoorsman, Dan could talk your ear off about his love for deer hunting, especially the infamous "what happens at deer camp" stories. He'd start telling a tale and leave you hanging, saying, "Well, you know, what happens at deer camp stays at deer camp." Suffice to say, those tales became legendary. Over 50 years of hunting, Dan only missed one deer season, and the Benson boys knew to count on him for humorous stories.

But Dan wasn't just about hunting and fishing—he was a true animal lover. If you ever attended an auction with him, you could bet your last dollar he'd find a way to bring home some poor animal in need of a new home. And yes, that often led to 4-H projects that kept the whole family busy, but Dan believed in teaching his kids and grandkids the importance of respecting animals—and probably a few other life lessons along the way.

Dan had a career that spanned many roles. He worked at Loots-Manning in Marshalltown for 23 years, where his work ethic and knack for fixing anything that came his way earned him the respect of many. After going back to school for business, he worked at Goodyear and then taught auto mechanics at several community colleges. He even traveled the country as a PACT teacher before landing his dream job as a Mac Tool Distributor.

Dan is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Joan, who stood by his side through thick and thin (and many adventures); his children, Matt (Amanda) Jones and Angie (Dave) Richards; and his grandchildren, Bryce and Jaiden Richards, and Morgan and Dawson Jones. He is also survived by his sister Ellen (Robert) Inman, his brother Lloyd (Linda) Jones, sister-in-law Gale (Dan) Hennager, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Woodrow and Zelda; his sister and brother-in-law, Evelyn (Carol) Bunn; and his in-laws, Forrest and Betty Dawson and his treasured dog, Bo.

Dan's legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched with his humor, generosity, and love. He was an honest man who could make anyone laugh, fix anything, always stood up for what he believed in and loved deeply. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him, and we know that wherever he is now, there's a fishing rod in his hand, a tool belt at his side, along with a trusty dog and an ice cream cone waiting for the next competition.

A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Oakland Acres Golf Club, 13476 US-6, Grinnell, IA 50112.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you share a good story, tell a fishing tale, or maybe even rescue an animal in need (Dan would approve). And always remember, the best way to honor Dan is with a good laugh and a full belly—preferably from a big bowl of peach cobbler.