Jay Darwin Jones

Jay Darwin Jones, 53, of Ligonier, died Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011, at home surrounded by his family. He was born Oct. 3, 1958, in Latrobe, a son of the late James Ellsworth Jones and Murline Wanetta Thompson. Jay was a self-employed truck driver. Jay was Pentecostal by faith. He was a member of Pony, Horse and Mule Association and the Fort Allen Antique Farm Equipment Association Inc. He started driving at a young age, driving trucks with his father and continued through life. He participated in the Pa. Farm Show and wagon trains all of his life. He had a great passion for horses from an early age. He loved the outdoors and horse pulling. He will be sadly missed by his beloved wife, Lea Marie Slezak-Jones, and his dog, Penny. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, James 'Sonny' Jones Jr. Jay is survived by his loving wife, Lea Marie Slezak-Jones, of Ligonier. He is also survived by his sons, Josh Jones and his wife, Leslie, of Blairsville, and Jonathan Jones, of Bradenville; two granddaughters, Bradey and Alyssa; and a grandson, Donovan; brothers and sisters, Cheryl Ferry and her husband, Dan, of Latrobe, Sharon Jones-Stevens, of Latrobe, Sally Carlisle and her husband, Stan, of Gooding, Idaho, Jackie Allen, of Liberty, Glenda Kinnamon, of Wendell, Idaho, Richard Jones and his wife, Eleanor, of Derry, Paul Jones and his wife, Mary Ann, of Gooding, Idaho, Gayle Phillips and her husband, Bill, of Garrettsville, Ohio, Debbie Cain, of Marion, Ky., Darla Helms and her husband, John, of Connellsville, Nellie Wingrove, of Connellsville, and William 'Bill' Jones and his wife, Linda, of Derry; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday in the P. DAVID NEWHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, 215 Church St., New Alexandria. Service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Union Cemetery Chapel, Route 22, New Alexandria. Burial in Union Cemetery, New Alexandria. www.newhousefuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jay Darwin Jones, please visit our floral store.