- Date Of Birth: August 28, 1950
- Date Of Death: October 5, 2022
- State: Idaho
Michael Dennis Jones, 72, of Rigby, passed away at Homestead in Rexburg, Idaho, on October 5, 2022, after many years of poor health, with his loving wife at his side.
Mike was born August 28, 1950, in Salmon, Idaho. When Mike was three, his family moved to Rigby, Idaho, where he lived the rest of his life.
Mike was a hard worker all his life. He had many jobs, but worked his last 40 years as a salesman for the following businesses: Pioneer Wholesale out of Salt Lake City, Utah; Harrington and Co. out of Salt Lake City, Utah; and Empire Building Materials out of Bozeman, Montana. He covered the territories in Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana.
Mike found his happiness and joy being outdoors. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and loved anything related to guns. He loved his trips with his best friend, Tom, especially fishing in Alaska. It had to have been a wonderful reunion for them both.
Mike belonged to five area shooting clubs. He was president of the “Twin Butte Bunch” Cowboy Range, as well as serving on the board of directors in the other clubs. He was known as “Rusty Bucket” to his friends in these clubs. You could often find him at one of the ranges cleaning, collecting brass, fixing them up, doing maintenance, or just shooting. Both he and his wife, Pamela, were lifetime members of the NRA. He was the FNRA President in this area for six years and planned all the banquets and fund raising. One of Mike’s passions was helping to build up all of the ranges for everyone to enjoy.
Mike was raised on his family’s farm in Rigby, run by his father J.W. He was taught from a young age to be a hard worker and there wasn’t anything on the farm that he didn’t do or wasn’t involved with. Both Mike and his wife, Pamela, continued to run the farm for seven more years after his father passed away until it was sold by his mother. During this time, he was able to keep up the farm to his father’s high standards and example, in an attempt to honor his father’s legacy. All this time, both he and his wife had other full-time jobs.
Mike was married to Pamela Hunsaker for 34 years and was very much blessed to have her in his life. She was a wonderful, caring partner and workmate as she always worked right beside him.
Mike had many pets in his life that brought him great love and joy. His most beloved pets were his dogs, Rowdy and Bailey, two Brittney Spaniels, which preceded him in death.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J.W. and Norma Jones of Rigby; his best friend, Tom Holcomb; and two sisters, Patty and Sandra.
He is survived by his loving wife, Pamela Hunsaker Jones of Rigby; faithful loving pets, Calli Lou (dog) and Fred, Screech, Manny, and Honey (cats); daughter, Candice (Israel) Cruz; grandchildren, Marco, Mailiha, and Alex, all of Idaho Falls; daughter, Stephanie (Byron) Allred; grandchildren, Catteara (Caden) Neyman, Caden of Phoenix, AZ; ex-wife, Theresa Shelton of Rigby; and sister, Janeil (Roger) Brucks of Rigby.
Mike aka “Rusty Bucket” lived the “Cowboy Way” living a life of honesty, integrity, and good will. Mike would say to all his friends and loved ones, “I’m riding off into the sunset… I’ll meet you on the other side.”
