Obituary of Ben Jones

Ben L. Jones, Dr. Ben, as many know him today, passed away Sunday, August 5, 2012 at the Grace Manor Care Center (or Happy Harry’s as he called it) in Burlington. Ben was born in Goodland, KS May 29, 1923 to Leonard and Nancy Elizabeth ‘Bessie’ (Sexson) Jones. Leonard was a railroad engineer for the Rock Island Railroad, and Bessie was a stay-at-home mom raising seven children and countless ‘strays’. Their home was always full of energy and love. Ben graduated from Sherman County High School in 1941. He attended watch making school in Kansas City until Uncle Sam called. Ben enlisted in the Navy and immediately was sent to flight school. He ended up flying the TBF Avenger off the Santee, an aircraft carrier in the Pacific. After the war, Ben returned to Goodland to marry his sweetheart, Aleta Suplee. They had two daughters, Nancy Lu and Mary Lyn. Ben worked at Mulheim Jewelers until he and Aleta decided to pursue his dream of becoming an eye doctor. They moved to Forest Grove, OR where he graduated from Pacific University with an Optometric degree. While the Pacific Northwest was a beautiful place, Aleta was homesick for the Plains. “I can’t see, there are too many trees.” So in 1960, after graduation, it was back to the Plains. Ben began his career as an eye doctor in Burlington thirty miles from their hometown of Goodland. Aleta was happy. Ben grew his practice until 1999 when he retired and suffered a stroke. Before his retirement he was elected President of the Colorado Optometric Association. He was active in the community serving on the Burlington School Board, Rotary Club, Eastern Star, Masonic Lodge, VFW, and other various community groups. After losing his wife, Aleta, to an untimely death, Ben married long time friend, Marge Coons, who brought four grown children into the fold: Ben Coons and wife Marie, David Coons and wife Janet, Shelley Tindall and husband Tim, and Kevin Coons and wife Valerie, plus many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Playing golf at the Prairie Pines Golf Course in Burlington and Sugar Hills Golf Course in Goodland with his friends was a highlight of his life. He loved the game. Ben, or Papa as he was affectionately known by family and some friends, was preceded in death by his mom and dad, his brothers, Shelby Jones, Max Jones, and sisters Marjorie Dawson, Aura Belle Isernhagen, Lenore Bible, Lou Dutton, wife, Aleta (Suplee), and wife, Marge (Coons). Survivors include daughters Nancy Rudzek, and fiancé Robert (Bear) Urias; Mary Lyn Crites, and husband Cliff; Grandchildren Dan Rudzek and fiancé Lauren Relay; Kelly Rico and husband Tom; Jeff Crites and wife Tammy; plus great-grandchildren Tyler and Ryan Miller, Dalton, Trenton, and Duston Rico, McKenna, Kately, Kyron and Brynna Crites as well as cousins, step-children, numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. Ben touched them all with his kindness. He was a true gentleman.