Thomas 'Tom' Lee Jones

Thomas "Tom" Lee Jones died May 3, 2015, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Tom passed away peacefully at Hospice House of North Idaho with his family by his side.

Tom was a native of Coeur d'Alene and always called this beautiful city his home. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Coeur d'Alene. As a Coeur d'Alene native he attended Borah Elementary School, Lakes Middle School and Coeur d'Alene High School.

After high school graduation Tom attended North Idaho College for a year. He then decided to explore a career in dispatching. He was a dispatcher for the 911 system in Coeur d'Alene as well as at the University of Washington in Seattle. During his time as a dispatcher Tom was also an EMT, and a fire and ambulance volunteer. Later in life Tom made a career change and began bus driving for schools, and his last driving opportunity was with North Western Trailways. As a bus driver for North Western Tom enjoyed his long tours the most as he got to "see the world."

Tom's most special gift was making people laugh and telling stories. He had a laugh that was contagious and every person in the room enjoyed a full belly laugh when he got started making jokes or telling stories. There was never a day when Tom did not have a great story to tell to anyone who would listen! This fun-loving storyteller was also very private and enjoyed spending time with his close friends and family. If you were a friend of Tom's you were always sure he would protect and take care of you. He had a huge heart, and often went above and beyond to help anyone in need.

Along with storytelling Tom also enjoyed fishing, spending time target practicing at the gun range, cooking and teaching his sister how to cook, traveling, taking his mom on scenic drives, and playing the slots with his gambling buddy, his sister.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Marvin "Marv" Jones; brother Kenneth Jones (an infant); grandparents Kenneth and Violet Jones, and Burton and Helen Domy.

Tom is survived by his mother, Shirley Jones, of Coeur d'Alene; his sister and her husband, Kathy and Paul Jones of Coeur d'Alene; his aunt, Jill Domy of Boise, Idaho; and his uncle and aunt, Harold and Jo Domy of Albuquerque, N.M.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of this special man will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1700 E. Pennsylvania, in Coeur d'Alene. The family hopes you can all attend. Please bring a joke or story to tell as this is what Tom would have wanted. There will be a reception for fellowship and remembering Tom after the service at Christ the King.

Because Tom loved to give to others, and because the beautiful folks at Hospice House cared and loved our whole family during Tom's illness, we would ask that in lieu of flowers, please send any donations in Tom's name to Hospice House, at 2290 W. Prairie Avenue, Coeur d'Alene.

English Funeral Chapel of Coeur d'Alene has been entrusted to handle final arrangements. Please visit Tom's online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com.