Powder River Examiner -

Harlan Leroy Jones, age 88, passed away January 20th, 2019 surrounded by family and friends.

Harlan was born September 19, 1930 in Anabel, Missouri to LeeRoy and Edith (Sumpter) Jones.

Harlan graduated from Bevier High School in 1949.

Harlan married Betty Tate on January 24th, 1950. Harlan and Betty had 3 children; Gary Lee, Randal Harlan, and Debra Lynn. They resided in Missouri until 1953 when they moved to Montana where Harlan worked on the Lester Tate and Burt Kaufman ranches. He later opened a small garage across the highway from the Tate ranch until a tornado took it. They moved to Alzada and Harlan worked in Broadus where Harlan worked in the Ford Garage before buying Bandy drilling. Harlan, along with his son Gary and many loyal employees drilled many wells in Montana and North Dakota.

Harlan wore many hats in his working years. He drove truck for Gib Lloyd and Charlie Stabio in the winter months. He worked on oil rigs in Wyoming and later opened his own mechanic shop. Harlan and Jack Ridenour opened Powder River Rebuilders and sold and repaired Toro lawnmowers and other lawn equipment.

The loss of his first wife, Betty, in 1984 was devastating. He went on to marry Peggy Deibel and gained 4 stepdaughters; Jackie Randall, Wendy Essex, Karalee, and Kristy.

Harlan loved to buy old tractors and restore them. Model trains were also a passion of his.

Harlan is preceded in death by his parents LeeRoy and Edith, wife Betty, infant son Randall, and grandsons Shane and Collin Jones, and wife Peggy. He is survived by son Gary (Linda) Jones, daughter Debbie (Kelly) Jones, grandchildren Cory (Nikki) Jones, Echo Jones, Nick (Ashley) Jones, great grandchildren Sami, Emme, and Shale Jones, Bailey Yarber and Carter Metcalf, Matazie and Gage Jones, Jackie (Craig) Randall and family, Wendy (Aaron) Essex and family, Karalee (Warren) Fritz and family, Kristie (Ward) Weischedel and family, Dana Morrell, Taylor and family, Jodi (Ryan) Roodhuizen and family.

Memorial donations may be made to Special K Ranch in Columbus, MT or Farm in The Dell in Broadus, MT, or any other charity of your choice.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 24, 2019 from 1-6 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Broadus. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 25, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Bible Church in Broadus. Condolences to the family may be sent by visiting www. stevensonandsons.com.