Shirley Jones, 88

Shirley Carter Slinkard Jones, age 88 of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away peacefully May 26. 2026 at Dalton Senior Living in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. She was born Feb. 10, 1938, in Sandpoint, Idaho, the daughter of Lee and Irma Carter. Shirley graduated from Sandpoint Senior High in 1956. She worked for GTE and Verizon for many years, then for Atlas in Coeur d’Alene until she retired in 1992. 

Shirley has loved horses since the age of 5, when she had her first horse, who was her best friend and companion for 27 years. She was involved in trick training horses for Roy Rogers and Dale Evans and training many other horses. She participated in rodeos, parades and 4-H. Shirley was the first woman in chariot racing and won the World Championship in 1964. She had a passion for helping others work with their animals and was very active with Kootenai County Animal Rescue. 

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Irma; her first husband, LeRoy Slinkard; her second husband, Paul Jones; two half-sisters, Helen and Beulah; and two half-brothers, George and Russell. She is survived by her son, Monte (Leslie) Slinkard Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; two daughters; Tammy (Nick) Pappas of Hillsboro, Ore., and Kay Salas of Santa Paula, Calif.; four grandchildren, Shawn (Allison) Slinkard, Hannah (Logan) Lunderstadt, Michelle and Andy Salas and nine great grandchildren, along with many other family and friends who will sadly miss her. 

Per Shirley’s request, there will be no memorial services. The family would like to graciously thank Hospice of North Idaho in Coeur d’Alene for their amazing care. Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel, has been entrusted with the final arrangements. You may sign Shirley’s online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.