Ronald Jones

Ronald Clifford Jones was born on January 23, 1951 in Wadena, Saskatchewan. The eldest child of Clifford Hiram Jones of the Wadena area and Elaine May Jones (nee Harris) of Paswegin. He was soon followed by Bradley, Brenda, Kelly and Bob. He attended Tiger Lily School with 'Granny Harris' as his teacher and then Wadena Composite High School. He played minor hockey in Wadena and spent years in Paswegin Grain 4-H club.

Being a busy young man playing ball for the Rosebud Royals and hockey for the Wadena Wildcats, he still found time to court Patricia McGunigal and they were married in 1972. Ronnie was working in the mine in Kitimat at the time and when Patti got pregnant with Michael in 1973, he moved home to start his own business. Shannan came along to complete the family in 1978, the same year the house on 8th street was built.

No matter what was happening in Ronnie's life his focus was always on RJ Sales, the business he built from scratch starting in 1973 in Marvin Gruneruds mechanic shop. In 1976, he moved into the current RJ’s building. He opened his second location in Preeceville in 1985. Ron and RJ Sales have a colorful history with many awards marking successes and accomplishments along the way.

Arlene and Ron knew each other for years but only started dating in 2003, and moved in together in 2004. They lived in Wadena with Arlene's sons Derek and Kale, then Fishing Lake and enjoyed many years together with their Northshore community - spending time on Ron's boat, socializing and organizing fundraisers. Annual trips to Mexico were also high on the priority list fitting in some time to see the much loved Gecko band.

Ron and Arlene always enjoyed spending time with the grandchildren. There was never a dull moment with Brayden being born in 2002, Crandall in 2005, Vinnie May in 2015, Jett came along in 2020, Liam and then Kai in 2022. Their doors were always open and house filled with love during every holiday.

Always a community minded person, Ronnie also spent many years in service by volunteering. He was on Wadena town council from 1977 to 1982, and Northshore council from 2008-2012, and 2016-2022, spent years on the Wadena Kinsmen, and supporting local fundraisers. He had a knack for getting ideas off the ground and influencing decisions. His impact on projects in this community is enduring and will be missed.

2023, marks the 50th anniversary of RJ Sales. A legacy that will live on in name and spirit of one of the greats in local history.

Ronald was predeceased by his grandparents Noel and Jennie Harris, Frank and Ethel Jones; mother Elaine Jones; father Clifford Jones; and brothers-in-law James Andry and Larry Nygren.

Left to mourn him is his spouse Arlene; son Michael (Angela), Brayden (Courtney) and Crandall; daughter Shannan and Davinia, Derek (Ranelle) Jett and Kai, Kale (Jesse) Coby, Chase and Liam; siblings Brad (Wanda), Kelly (Jo), Brenda, and Bob (Lori); Arlene's sister Sharon; cousins Randy and Rick Norberg; nieces and nephews Mary Ann, Kathryn, Paul, Chelsea, Tennille, Christine, Jennifer, Jessica, Dionne, Kaitlyn, Bobbie-Lee, Kerrie, Tannis and Jeff and their families.