The Cowboy Preacher of Pend Oreille County has taken his final ride into the sunset. A Beloved Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Brother, Uncle and trusted friend to many, Alan Darrell Jones was all of these and so much more. In his journey through life, he worked as a Gospel Minister, Spiritual Counselor, Rancher, Carpenter, Painter, Fire Chief, Chaplain, Soldier and small business owner.
Alan was born in Modesto, CA on June 10, 1924 to Manlius and Emma (Post) Jones. He joined his older brothers Hubert and Ralph and his sister Carol on the family dairy farm on the outskirts of the city. His younger sister Vernona came along a short time later. As a lad he got up early, before school, to help with the feeding and milking of cows and other chores. One night while helping with the field irrigation, he laid on his back looking up at the stars. He remembered thinking to himself that surely there must be someone out there who made all of this. This experience led to a lifelong curiosity and love of both the created and spiritual worlds. A highlight of his youth was visiting his grandparents farm. He was especially close to his Grandmother, whose love helped him develop a sense of self worth and respect. Not one to neglect his education, he walked, and occasionally rode horseback to Ransom Elementary school a couple of miles away. After completing the 8th grade, he attended Modesto High School where he received his HS Diploma. Soon after graduation, he took a job working in Yosemite National Park where he had some interesting encounters with bears, hiked the water falls and cleared trails. Before the summer ended however, with America having entered WWII, Uncle Sam selected him to serve in the Army. After basic and specialty training he was assigned to the Military Police, and was sent to North Africa to guard prisoners of war. After volunteering for infantry duty, he returned to the States for additional training. He then shipped out to the European theater where he served as a mortar crewman. He saw combat in France and Germany while with the 3rd Army, and made the march to Bastogne a few days after the first wave of troops had liberated the paratroopers surrounded there. With his common sense and innate leadership ability, he was soon promoted to mortar squad Sergeant. By the end of the war, his commanding Officer had recommended him for Officer Candidate School. However, the atrocities and inhumanity he witnessed had a profound effect on him and he declined to stay in the service. Like many of the young soldiers coming home, he suffered from undiagnosed PTSD, which affected him throughout his life.

After being honorably discharged, he returned to Modesto, where a friend helped him land a job at a feed and grain warehouse. Attending a worship service with his friend, he sat behind a young brunette whose long hair hung down the back of the pew. He thought to himself, I'd sure like to run my fingers through her hair! After several months of courtship, and a marriage license, he did just that. On September 7, 1946 Alan married his lifelong love and partner Hazel Charlotte Lankford. The couple moved to Jamestown, CA where Alan managed a Feed & Grain store. In July of 1948, daughter Carol Ann was born. By then, they had moved back to Modesto where Alan took work as a house painter. Sons, Michael Alan came along in 1950 and Dave Lee in 1955. Throughout this time Alan would exercise his love of the outdoors with numerous fishing, hunting, boating and camping trips. As the children grew older, the annual camping trip to the Sierra Nevada mountains for two weeks of hiking, fishing and swimming became the highlight of the year. Meanwhile, the family attended church regularly with both Alan and Hazel growing in their faith for the Lord Jesus. Before long, one of the Church Elders encouraged Alan to get involved by teaching the Sunday Teen Class. Following his success as a teacher, he was invited to try preaching. With his Pastor mentoring him, Alan was soon filling the pulpit for local Pastors as needed. In 1962 he was asked to become Pastor and full time Preacher for a newly formed Church of Christ in Modesto. The years there were memorable and challenging, and the congregation grew with Alan and Hazel ministering together.

In 1966 Charles Schultz, childhood friend, approached Alan with a real estate business opportunity in a place called Pend Oreille County, WA. After a scouting trip north, Alan realized this would be a good opportunity to plant a Church of Christ congregation. After much prayer and conversation, the family packed up and moved to just North of Cusick, and settled in at the homestead cabin on the Connor ranch at Ruby. Alan worked along side Charles and brother Ralph, who had joined the partnership, to advance the Real Estate venture. Together they established the Locke Church of Christ, which first held services in the (now gone) Locke Grange Hall. By the end of the 60's a new church building had been built, the real estate venture ended and all the partners moved away except for Alan and Hazel. For the next 40+ years, Alan continued to work part time in the remodeling and building business, preached hundreds of sermons, performed weddings and funerals and provided various other ministry services for the surrounding community. Alan shared that God had used all of his life experiences (even the unpleasant ones) to prepare and equip him for the Ministry. Together he and Hazel shared their love of Jesus with many hearts and lived a life of service not only to their community, but also the many guests who made the trek to their cabin on the hill. Alan once quipped that he thought more people had been taught about the love of Christ at Hazel's dinner table than in all the sermons he preached!

Alan's later years were filled with family and friends visiting at the ranch and enjoying all that nature had to offer. Wanting to share his love of animals with his grandchildren, he would take them along when the local wildlife showed up in the pasture for a free meal. They couldn't wait to go out and feed the deer and turkeys with Grandpa Alan! Through it all, even though his memory was failing, Alan never lost his wonderful sense of humor. He recently cracked "I may not know your name, but I know you're a friend."

His true love and faithful partner Hazel went on to be with Lord in April of 2019. With daughter Carol's considerable help, Alan continued to live in his beloved cabin at the ranch until the last week of his life on earth. He rode his final trail to be with the Lord Jesus on May 4th, 2021 and will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.

Alan is survived by his three children, daughter Carol, sons Michael (LaDonna) and Dave (Sally), grandchildren Jennifer (Travis), Eric (Krista), Melissa, Summer, Dustin (Crimson), Chad (Sara), and Chris (Sarah); great grandchildren Katelyn, Emily, Devon, Sage, Wren, Blaze, Saychelle, Jackson and Jaceten and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers please donate to Disabled American Veterans or

local Fire District of your choice.

Sherman-Campbell Funeral and Cremation Services are in charge of the arrangements. Family and Friends are invited to to sign the online guestbook at Sherman-Campbell. Com.