Cletis Jones

Cletis Mark Jones of Clovis, New Mexico passed away on April 29th, 2020 at the age of 83.  Cletis was born at the home of his parents, Albert and Retha Jones, in Clovis, NM on August 13th, 1936.  He attended Clovis High School where he met the love of his life, Patsy Gardner, and they married on August 14th, 1955.   He was 19 and Patsy was 17.  When first married, Cletis was working driving a gravel truck to help build roads and highways in the area.   His next job was working for Caroland Garage as a mechanic.  He loved cars and was a whiz at fixing them.  Cletis followed his dream of being in business for himself.  He started Jones Insulation then later went into general contracting, following in his Father Albert’s footsteps, and bought Dura Built Steel Buildings.  Cletis took great pride in helping building homes and business around Clovis, including the first K-bob’s steakhouse.  In 1982, he bought a car dealership where he could enjoy his passion of buying and selling cars.  Jones Pontiac-GMC was his second home for over 17 years.  After selling the car dealership, Cletis opened High Desert Honda in Clovis where he and his sons worked together where they were able to share their love of motorcycles.

Cletis took the most pride in his family.  He was a steadfast rock for everyone and never went a day without showing us how much he loved us all or making us laugh.  He truly lived life to the fullest and made even the simplest things fun.  Throughout the years he and his family and friends enjoyed riding motorcylces, golfing, watching baseball and football games, rodeos, horse races and hanging out with his buddies in the antique car club.  His favorite antique was his 1950 GMC pickup truck where he and Pat would drive for regular dates to meet their friends at Twin Cronies.

Outside of being the best Mom and Dad and the best Nana and Papa in the world their next true love was traveling in their motorhome.  Cletis and Pat continued their motorhome travels after the kids were grown and were charter members starting a motorhome club, the Monaco Wanna-Go’s.   They started with a small group of about 5 couples and it grew to over 300 members.  Cletis did not know a stranger and his smile and love for life was contagious.  Cletis and Pat were blessed with 64 years of marriage and a lifetime of love, laughter and adventures.

Cletis was a loving and devoted husband, Dad, papa, son, brother and friend.  He loved the lord and raised his family in the Methodist church.  For years he praised God with his beautiful singing voice in the church choir and filled our hearts each time he gave his powerful blessings as we held hands to break bread together so many times.  His family loves him more than he will ever know and we will find comfort knowing he is once again with his maker and at rest.

Cletis was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Retha Jones, and his sister, Leota Frazier.

Cletis is survived by his wife, Patsy, his children Ronnie Jones, Brian Jones, and Kimberly Jones.  He is survived by his brother Ellis Jones, his grandchildren Whitney and her husband Steve Safranek, Kambrey and her husband Brendon Baker, Kelcee Jones, and Kade Jones and his great granddaughter Brynn Safranek.

A private service will be held for immediate family and a memorial service for the public will be held at a later date.

Contributions in lieu of flowers as memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or St. Jude.

The family wishes to express our gratitude and heartfelt thanks to all the caretakers who lovingly cared for Cletis over the past several months.  He was loved by everyone who met him and he will be dearly missed by all.

Please enjoy the incredible photo slideshow of Mr. Jones, by clicking on the link below.

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Revelation 21:4

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”