Robert "Bob" G. Jones

Robert “Bob” G. Jones passed away peacefully on Friday afternoon, January 14, 2022, with family and friends at his side. He was born on January 17, 1949, in Great Falls, Montana, to James W. Jones and Dorothy Ann Jones. Bob attended schools in Great Falls, graduating from Great Falls High School in 1967, and eventually earning his Associates Degree in Business and Management from The College of Great Falls. Jonesy, as he was known to his friends, joined the Montana Air National Guard (MANG) during his senior year of high school, a career that spanned 32 years. During his service with MANG he was promoted several times and concluded his career as a Major at the State Command Staff in Helena, MT.One of his most meaningful accomplishments was designing and constructing the Veteran’s Cemetery at Fort Harrison.Upon his return from basic training, Bob worked for Neilson/Smith Construction on several infrastructure projects throughout the state of Montana. He felt a higher calling and joined the Great Falls Police Department on March 8, 1971.Bob worked in many divisions during his first 15 years on the job.He enjoyed his time in the patrol and detectives’ division, but his favorite assignment was working in the juvenile division. It was during this period of his career that he was awarded an opportunity to attend the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA., where he graduated with honors. In 1986, Bob was promoted to Chief of Police where he served for 20 years receiving several awards and citations for his service. One of his greatest accomplishments was bringing Great Falls into the modern era by establishing a state of the art 911 communications center.Upon retiring from GFPD and MANG, he took a brief pause from Public Service and worked on the ranch that he started with his three sons.Always having a passion for public service, Bob ran for City Commission in 2009, where he served for the next 8 years.Having been born and raised in Great Falls, his vision was to make the community of Great Falls a better place. In August of 1971, Bob married Janice (Jiggs) Roos. She was his greatest helpmate and supporter. Through this lasting marriage came three sons, who he would say are his “biggest accomplishments.” His legacy of leadership, friendship, public service, and integrity continue in the values he instilled in his boys. Together they enjoyed spending time hunting, fishing, camping, and ranching. Always a businessman, Bob was instrumental in creating or partnering in many businesses throughout the community. He was a man with many passions and was a true visionary, one that saw the potential in people.Bob was a champion of second chances.He was truly the type of person that accepted others where they were in life. He was never better than the person sitting next to him. Jonesy never met a stranger and had the ability and charisma that made people feel valuable in his presence. He had a rare gift of engaging people and would regale his audience with outrageously entertaining stories. Because of his love and acceptance of people, he had more friends than can be mentioned. Somehow, he always seemed to have time for them all. Bob is survived by his wife, Jiggs, of 50 years; his three sons and their families, Jeremy (Quincie) Jones and their children Taylor, Maci, Ahmia, Slater, and Tenley of Great Falls, James “Doug” (Trudy) Jones and their children Ridger and Riggin of Townsend, and Casey (Bonnie) Jones and their children Clancey, Ledger, Decker, Tiber and Brenner of East Helena; many extended family members including brothers and sisters in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews, as well as several friends and colleagues. He was preceded in death by his parents; older brother, James; and his mother and father In-law. There will be a vigil on Friday, January 21, 2022, at 5:30 p.m. at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and a memorial service on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Mansfield Center.