Orrie Vern Jones Jr., 80, passed away Feb. 21, 2005 at Kalispell Regional Medical Center of natural causes.

He was born June 17, 1924, in Wenatchee, Wash., to Orrie Vern and Hazel (Hemminger) Jones. He graduated from high school in Cashmere, Wash.

On Aug. 26, 1941, Orrie entered the Navy. He was serving as an Aviation Machinist Mate Third Class on the USS Lexington and was on board when the ship was torpedoed and sunk on May 8, 1942. He was honorably discharged on Aug. 30, 1946.

On Nov. 2, 1955, he married Helen DeRosier in Sandpoint, Idaho.

Orrie worked for C & C Plywood for several years, beginning in 1965. He then worked on the pipeline in Alaska from 1974 to 1976. He later worked for Plum Creek as a millwright, retiring in 1990.

Orrie was an avid hunter and fisherman and had a deep appreciation for wildlife. He was also a pilot and loved to fly. He and Helen owned their own plane which they flew across the Northwest.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orrie and Hazel (Hemminger) Jones; brothers, Norman and Gary; and his beloved daughter, Michele "Suzie."

Orrie is survived by his wife of 49 years, Helen (DeRosier) Jones; sons, Orrie and his wife, Lisa, and Robert, all of Kalispell, and Michael of Alaska; daughter, Melanie Jones of Kalispell; grandchildren, Alicia of Bangkok, Thailand, Michelle and Thia of Kalispell, Erin of Boise, Idaho, Frank, Desmond and Gessie of Kalispell, Kyrie and Logan of Kalispell, and Josh, Ashley, Amy and Kaylee of Oregon; great-grandchildren, Taylor and Ethan of Kalispell; and a brother, Myles Jones, of Cashmere, Wash.

Orrie was a beloved husband, father and grandfather, and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be from 1 to 6 p.m. today, Thursday, Feb. 24, at Johnson Mortuary. A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, at Johnson Mortuary Chapel. Burial with military honors will follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.