Obituary: Jones, Keith Darrell
Age 87
Darrell was born July 23, 1928 in Mooresville, North Carolina to William and Bertha Jones.
He was the first born of their five children and learned very early that responsibility and family were everything.
Growing up in the depression era south was challenging to say the least, but it forged Darrell and his siblings into tough, successful people.
He fibbed about his age to join the U.S. Army 11th Airborne Division and was part of the U.S.
Occupation force in Japan.
Soon after leaving the Army in 1947, he moved from the south to Washington State, “the greatest decision I ever made” he would often say.
His varied career path took him to the Okanogan orchards, Boeing in Seattle, US Postal Service, and last, but NOT least, the donut business……lucky for all of us!
In 1956 he married the lovely Kathryn McAllister in Spokane, Washington.
Their first daughter Susan (by far the oldest) was born in 1958.
Bill followed in 1960, Katy in 1963, and Tracy in 1966.
Later, the children were known as the inaugural staff of the Donut Parade.
We were all marginal workers, but our Dad did agree that the “price was right”!
In October 1968, after a few years in California, Darrell and Kathy decided to move back to Spokane and launch The Donut Parade.
For over 40 years, Darrell and Kathy worked side by side and provided Spokane with fresh donuts and a “gathering place” that left its mark on thousands of people.
Mom ran the front and Dad ran the kitchen….sometimes when he got bossy, she would walk back and calmly say, “Darrell, stay in your half of the damn shop”!
Perhaps his single greatest talent was mastery of “duct tape engineering” (some of his creations survive to this day).
He loved his customers and never forgot a name.
His most treasured memories were of all the people he called friends that the Donut Parade lost over the years.
Hopefully, today, he has the “kettle fired up” and is cooking maple bars for them in Heaven……many of them have been waiting a long time!
Darrell left a great family legacy….he is survived by his wife and “business partner” of 59 years, Kathryn Jones.
His daughter Susan (Dave) Teague, son Bill (Deanna) Jones, daughter Katy (Karl) Youngren, daughter Tracy Jones, also his stepchildren, Mark (Celesta) Hickman, Kristie Jo (Dave) Hyde, and Barry Hickman.
He is also survived by his “little sisters” Verna Sloan (FL.)
, Mary (Jim) Tinnell (OR.
), also, numerous nieces and nephews.
Finally, his beloved 22 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.
They got away with a lot more than his kids ever did!
He is preceded in death by his father Bill Jones, mother Bertha Jones, brother Steve Jones, and sister Peggy Jones.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held, Saturday, September 19th, 2015 at 3:00pm at River City Church, W. 708 Nora, Spokane, WA 99205.
Donations can be made to: Union Gospel Mission - Inland Northwest, 1224 E. Trent Spokane, WA 99220, or to: www:uniongospelmission.org Keith “Darrell” Jones - Revelations 21:3-4