Obit: David Clyde 2

Kelso, Washington

May 29, 1948 — Sept. 8, 2024

On the morning of Sept. 8, Dennis Dean Jones passed away in his sleep at the age of 76.

Born in Lawrence, Kansas, on May 29, 1948, Dennis was a rambunctious boy who would have rather been outside playing sports or in nature than inside a classroom.

He grew up in Astoria, and upon graduating from Astoria High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1966. He served two years and 11 months active duty, during which he attended airborne and ranger school, escape and evasion training, was sniper qualified and served for a time in Germany running missions as a platoon sergeant along the Berlin Wall.

After an honorable discharge from active duty, he continued his service in the Army Reserve, serving as a drill sergeant and achieving the rank of master sergeant.

Dennis was an avid hunter and outdoorsman. He was truly in his element camping on the side of some mountain in the Pacific Northwest tracking elk and deer. At night, he loved listening to music and playing card games by the fire.

He believed in the purity of the hunt, and trained his daughter to track animals, navigate, shoot — not just shoot the can, but to shoot the center of the “o” of a Coors can. He was a bow hunter who was always practicing his craft. He also loved to fish, and took up fly fishing for a time.

Later in life, Dennis would love to talk on the phone and get updates on his grandson, Malcolm. He would ask about all his academic achievements, but mainly his athletic exploits. He started watching and learning soccer, and became a fan of the Portland Thorns and Portland Timbers after hearing how important soccer had been in Malcolm’s life.

He cherished his trips to his daughter’s house to see Malcolm play in his games, tour the area and go fast in his daughter-in-law’s car. He also enjoyed going back to Astoria periodically to stay with his brother, Mike, visit old buddies and drives to the beach.

He is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Stovall; daughter-in-law, Michele Stovall and grandson, Malcolm Stovall; brother, Mike Jones, sister-in-law, Jan Jones and nephew, Aaron Jones; niece, Sabrina Blacketer; six great-nieces and great-nephews; several cousins in Kansas, California and New Mexico; and his best friend and neighbor, Neal DeCost.

A memorial will be held at Maritime Memorial Park in Astoria at noon on Sept. 28.