James Michael "Jim" Jones

BOISE, ID- Jim was born August 9, 1947 in Spokane, WA to Bob and Kay Jones. He had two siblings, Marilyn and Rod. He died July 10, 2026.

He met and married Susan (Wallace) Jones in North Bend, OR in 1972. Described as a quiet man with a gentle soul, he greatly loved and appreciated family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sue; daughter Kelli (and her fiance Trevor, who he wholeheartedly welcomed into the family); in-laws, nieces and nephews and cousins.

Jim graduated from Washington State University in 1969 with a degree in Forest Management. He loved his career as a forester for the Bureau of Land Management. He spent 9 years in Coos Bay, OR and the remainder of his career with BLM in Boise until retirement in 2006.

Some things he enjoyed were traveling and train rides. Highlights were trips to Alaska, Hawaii, Panama, the U.K. and the Oregon Coast, which often incorporated rides on the rails. He was an avid model train collector and had a room dedicated to his collection and set up. He was a longtime member of the Train Collectors Association Treasure Valley Chapter. He also happily assisted his wife with her work at the Western Idaho Fair in the Youth Department for many years, often taking his trains to share.

He never met a cat he didn't want to hold and pet, and the family had many cats over the years. Lately he had been enjoying a new hobby, building with LEGO bricks.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Crystal and his parents and siblings. His mother, sister and brother all passed of dementia and its complications. With his onset of the disease, and not wanting to face the same fate as them, he sadly ended his own life.

A memorial reception will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 24, 2026 at Summers Funeral Home, 3629 E Ustick Rd., Meridian. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Make-A-Wish Idaho or the Idaho Humane Society.