Francis E. Jones

Francis E. Jones was born March 28, 1928 in Detroit, Kansas. He graduated from Chapman High School and attended college at Emporia State where he received his B.S., Kansas State University, where he received his M.A. and University of Utah where he concluded his graduate work with a PhD. Frank enlisted in the Coast Guard following his graduation from Emporia State and was honorably discharged.

He married Mildred Lucille (Millie) Jones on December 13, 1952. Frank and Millie had three children together- Steve, Peggy, and Lori. After a play-by-play career at Kansas State, the family moved to Davis, California in 1964 where Frank was employed at University California, Davis as an Agriculture Information Specialist.
His final career move was to Utah State University in Logan, Utah where he managed the radio and TV center and all of its broadcasting efforts.

Frank was the son of Daniel and Lena (Dorothea) Jones, and brother to seven; Gladys, Elmer, Elwood, Clarence, Leland, Robert, and Eileen.
(Eileen continues living in Manhattan at age 91.) Frank was the incredibly proud grandfather to ten grandchildren; Andrew, Sarah, Bryan, Katlyn, Courtney, Joseph, Sam, Avery, Shannon, and Charlie, and one great granddaughter, Blair Violet.

Frank was an avid sports fan and never missed watching the Broncos, Nuggets, and of course, the Colorado Rockies. However, he most enjoyed attending all of his grandchildren's games, videotaped all of their efforts, and was their most passionate fan. (He recently told his grandson, Charlie, that the position he played in college baseball wasn't important because he would be good at all of them.)

Although his health was failing, he attended Courtney's college graduation in December and joined in the luncheon that followed. (When Courtney skyped from her five month adventure in Australia, he always made certain he was part of the conversation.)

Frank lived the last 20 months of his life in his daughter Peggy's home. He once commented, "Where did I get so many animals?" His special and most loyal companion was Rasheed, an Australian Shepherd who never left his side.

Frank will be greatly missed by all of his family.