Lawrence (Larry) Tait Jones, age 63 passed away peacefully on January 1, 2015 at his home in Canyon Creek, outside Helena where he and his wife Sue have lived for the past 17 years. Larry was born on April 3, 1951 in Butte to his parents Nancy and Nelson Jones. He attended and graduated from Butte High School, then went on to Vanderbilt University and graduated with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering, then completed his Master of Business Administration at Harvard Business School.
Growing up in Butte was always an adventure for Larry, as he loved to snow ski and loved the outdoors, whether camping or hiking. Always a Boy Scout, Larry achieved the Eagle Scout rank and loved to share his scouting adventures with others. He was a voracious reader and loved to learn and understand how things work. He was a kind person and was always willing to help others. He inherited a very high moral and ethical standard from his parents and held others around him to those same standards. He was a model of kindness and consideration of others and was a loyal friend to many.
His 35 years of engineering and construction, working mostly with Brown & Root, took him through major Texas cities, like Houston and Dallas to California to build roads and bridges. After moving to Montana to retire, Larry longed to use his project manager skills and so went to work for Helena Sand & Gravel and then later with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality. He took special pride in his work on the Silver Bow Creek remediation project between Butte and Anaconda. It was an enormous task to clean up a three mile stretch of Silver Bow Creek and its floodplain near Butte and this project received the 2006 Award for Environmental Excellence from the Montana Contractors’ Association.
Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Sue Clark-Jones and his mother, Nancy T. Jones (Butte). Sisters, Suzanne Costic (Salem, OR), Katherine Jones (Redmond, WA) and Kristen Gratalo (Boise, Idaho). In-Laws, Michael Gratalo (Boise, Idaho), James and Carolyn Colquitt (Dallas, TX) and Carla and Ken Burns (Arlington, TX). Aunts and Uncle, Sue McKay, (Santa Barbara, CA), Jeannette Hiett (Missoula, MT), Clayton Werness (Seattle, WA) and cousins in these states also. Nieces and Nephews, Alexandra and Katie Costic, Natalie and Neil Cohen, Dominick and Anna Gratalo, Jamie Williams, Brice Burns, and Katie and Michael Smith.
Memorials in his name may be made to Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 2300 Florence Avenue, Butte, MT 59701, Canyon Creek Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 464, Canyon Creek, MT 59633, St. Peter’s Cancer Treatment Center, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601, or to an organization of donor’s choice. Please visit below for more information or leave a message to the family.
Ginger says
My sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Larry. May your wonderful good memories of Him sustain you through this distressing time, until God’s promises are fulfilled.- John 6:40: Revelation 21:3-5: Psalm 37:10. These scriptures give me peace, and comfort – I hope they will help you also. The grievances of your hearts never go unnoticed, and he will be remembered.-Psalm 56:8
Gerald Mulligan says
In my life, I have never met a more perfect gentleman, a more loyal friend, a more enjoyable companion or wiser confidant. For 40 years, Larry has served as my model for kindness and consideration of others. From our very first meeting, he has humbled me with his intelligence. Farewell good and gentle friend. May God grant you glory.
Molly Hobgood says
Larry was one of the kindest, most compassionate, gentle people I have known. He offered nothing but the best of himself to all who knew and loved him. For that, I am eternally grateful. You will be missed, dearest Larry.
Joslyn Murphy says
Sue,
I was so sad to read about your husband. Knowing you but never met Larry – he must have been a great guy. You will get through this and the great memories will help through the darkest times. You are in my thoughts, Sue.
Michael Gardner says
I have many fond memories of Larry from our high school days. We shared many of the same interests and belonged to many of the same clubs including boy scouts. He was a kind generous person and I will cherish the time we spent together. Rest in peace my friend….
Ronni Burke says
I didn’t know Larry, but I do know that his “model of kindness and consideration for others” is a standard also held by his loving & devoted wife, Sue Clark-Jones, my friend and co-worker. My thoughts are with you, Sue. ~.~ LOVE, RONNI
Chris Smith says
I met Larry at Harvard Business School as a fellow section mate in Section “I” class of 1977.
In our second year Gerry Mulligan, Tom Kealey, Tony Caughey and I shared a “suite” in the roof of Hamilton Hall with Larry. Gerry and Larry had a special friendship as is evident in Gerry’s comments above.
I came to HBS from New Zealand, and have lived in Sydney, Australia for the last 37 years since finishing at HBS. I have had little of no contact with Larry since 1977.
I am especially sad to learn of his death, and to think of the gap it will leave in the lives of his wife Sue and his mother Nancy.
Larry was an engineer with integrity. He had a quiet manner about him. He was an achiever and you could be sure that what ever project Larry was working on would be completed to a very high standard. I am sure there are many structures that he built that stand as a memorial to him. Wouldn’t it be great to name one of them in his memory!
Distance prevents me attending the memorial service. I will be there in spirit.
Chris Smith
HBS Section “I” 1977
Donna Chiozzi says
Larry and I go back to his days in Boston/Cambridge. I have yet to meet a man who gave more of himself than Larry Jones. Always caring, always attentive, always fun, he could not do enough for those he called friends. I am sad to hear of his passing, and sorry that so many years passed without reconnecting with this lovely man. Peaceful journey, Larry. Thanks for all your kindnesses. Condolences to Sue, and the entire Jones family.
Gary Sells says
My heartfelt sympathy for Larry’s family. I went to high school with Larry and always wondered what became of him. Our paths never crossed since then but I always knew he would be a high achiever and from his obituary he certainly was. He was smart and such a nice guy. Sorry to hear that he left his family at such an early age.
Maggie Christie says
I was fortunate to know Larry through my friendship with his dear wife Sue. Over many years I experienced his humor, kindness, vast knowledge and gracious personality. We shared an interests in books and film and compared notes frequently, also a passion for dogs, especially Terriers and a total devotion to his wife of many years, Sue.
Larry will be missed by many I am sure, but he will never be forgotten in our hearts.
Maggie
Mike Sandiland says
Nancy,
I am greatly shocked and saddened to hear of Larry’s passing. Roger called me a few minutes ago to tell me of Larry’s death.
We grew up together in Butte on Placer, Dakota and Colorado Streets near KXLF TV station. We roamed the school grounds and up to the “tracks”. Played marbles and pewee football in the street together.
Nancy, you and Nelson were a stable and loving presence in all our lives. I am thankful for that. I have had no knowledge of Larry for the past 50 years or so and it sounds like he was a much loved man. I am sad. My condolences to you and his family and friends.
Mike Sandiland
Michael Ecker says
It has been an honor and privilege to be a friend of Larry Jones for almost 40 years. HIs intelligence and human kindness were second to none. The Ecker family sends its most sincere condolences to Sue and the Jones family. Larry was taken from us all too soon.
Kathy White says
Dear Sue,
On behalf of the Burns’ girls, I just wanted you to know that we are all thinking of you during this sad time and wishing that we could come to Montana for Larry’s service. Psalm 34 vs. 18 ” The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Our love,
Linda, Shirley, Kathy and Peggy
Alex Yellin says
I helped recruit Larry to join Brown & Root in 1977 and we were coworkers there for many years. We worked on many assignments together and I was always impressed with his intelligence. Whenever I worked with Larry I always learned new ideas and insights. But even more important was his ability to interact with everyone in the organization in such a positive and understanding way, from senior leadership to the project crews. It was a true gift for someone as smart as Larry to be able to be contribute so much without being intimidating to those of us who didn’t have his intellect. Even though I did not keep in contact with Larry since he returned to Montana I really felt a great loss when I heard he had passed away. I am sure that I am only one of many who still felt a connection with Larry even though we had not spoken for many years. Sue, my sincere condolences to you and the rest of Larry’s family.
Cindy Malone says
Sue,
I am saddened by the loss of Larry, he had such a quiet, sweet spirit about him. We never spoke that he didn’t want to know how Craig and Maggie were doing. I regret that we didn’t get to spend more time with you guys. I am thankful the two of you were able to take so many wonderful trips together and those memories will always be special. I am so sorry that I will not be able to attend his service but will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Love you,
Cindy
Love yo
Lynn says
Sue,
I so wish I was able to come to the service today. Know that you are in my heart and prayers.
Love you,
Lynn
John&Marlene Ham&Family says
We met Larry&sweet Sue,
thru our son James Ham around1996.
Larry invited James to come hunting in Montana,and that made a lasting realtionship.
James James brother&Iand another friend were taken in and treated like ROYALTY by Larry&Sue
Me& my wife spent a short visit and I can say the same thinghs other peoplesayabout Larry& Sue they were true friends& could not do enough to make you feel welcome,
Larry will be missed by my family,we were fortunate to be a part of yours.
Sue please keep in touch
our condolences to you & Larrys family
LOVE the
whole Ham Family
Alex Bonner says
Only a few things to share about you are floating and camping and rafting on the Lochsa River in July with lifelong friends, listening to Robert Service poetry recited by a campfire, growing up in the town of my grandparents and parents and the Copper Kings and Jeannette Rankin, building a bridge with my dad and the Montana Highway Dept. one summer near Harlem MT close to the Belknap Indian Reservation on the Route-2 Hi-line, running marathons in New York and Boston, building and resurrecting a mountain man’s cabin near Stemple Pass, helping my family tackle the Little Blackfoot in rented rafts, listening to our stories about a horseback trip to the Scapegoat Wilderness, sharing fine dinners and roasting marshmellows by the campfire after a fine night in Marysville, receiving Christmas treats from Shepperd’s Candies in Butte, did I ever tell you that they may be one of the last places on America that don’t ship and you have to go pick it up but everyone should know that it is worth the trip for sure, driving a thousand miles with four guys in a truck, seeing one of ‘em try to ingest canned oyster soup at a motel in Red Lodge, taking a pilgrimage to the Million Dollar Bar in Jackson Hole, posing for pictures and memories at the gate to Yellowstone during the shutdown of the US government, standing together as the four amigos under General Meagher’s Statue in front of the Montana State Capitol in Helena, shopping for Made in Montana stuff and did I tell you that they confiscated the huckleberry jam at airport security, sitting in your hot tub, teaching my children how to water ski on the Missouri in your speedboat, getting sage advice and counsel against the folly of selling Dunkin Donuts in Key West, enjoying a wonderful family, and loving a wonderful lady named Sue.
You left Butte Montana for Vanderbilt, Harvard and other exotic places but you returned and won awards for your efforts in cleaning up the messes that our grandfathers left in the waterways around Anaconda. You are gone but not forgotten by any of us that knew you and had the good fortune to sit with you for even a minute. And as has been said many times before dear friend it is impossible to not say again,
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sunshine warm upon your face.
May the rains fall upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.