James DeVere “Jim” Jones, 78, of Corning, KS, formerly of Netawaka, KS, passed away Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at Holton Community Hospital with family by his side. He was born July 30, 1943 in Holton, KS, the son of Wayne DeVere and Lillie Belle (Beamer) Jones.

Jim graduated from Sabetha High School and Kansas State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering. He proudly served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and served in Germany, serving from 1967 – 1971. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and National Defense Medal.

 He worked for 30 years at the State of Kansas; retiring in 1997 as Director of Operations (a position appointed by the Governor) for the Highway Department. After retirement from the State of Kansas, Jim worked for 10 years at The Asphalt Pavement Association (KAPA) as Executive Director; retiring in March of 2010. During his time at KAPA, he was a member and board member of National Asphalt Payment Association (NAPA) and also worked with the Asphalt Pavement Alliance (APA). He was a member and served at Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President and President (2009) of State Asphalt Pavement Association (SAPA).

Jim was a member of the Netawaka United Methodist Church, Wetmore American Legion Post 329 and Wetmore V.F.W. He was a member of National Society of Professional Engineers and Kansas Society of Professional Engineers. Jim was former Mayor of Netawaka for over 30 years.

He married Patsy J. Turner on December 22, 1967 at Shawnee Heights United Methodist Church in Topeka, KS. She preceded him in death on November 25, 2020; after celebrating over 53 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Lillie Jones;1 brother William ‘Bill” Jones and 2 sisters, Linda McCoy and Connie Niquette.

Survivors include his 2 sons, Jason D. Jones (Robyn) of Netawaka, KS and Travis J. Jones (Carolyn) of Corning, KS; 13 grandchildren, Amaris, Sadie, Tamra, Karly, Eve, Turner, Tyler, Amanda, Corey, Dalton, Devon, Addyson and Comyn and 1 great-grandson, Bronx; one sister in-law, Linda Jones of Topeka, KS; 2 brother in-laws, Raymond Niquette of Woonsocket, RI and Keith McCoy of Erie, KS.

Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial with Military Honors will follow at the Netawaka Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Monday evening. Jim will lie in state Sunday from 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Netawaka United Methodist Church, Wetmore American Legion or Wetmore V.F.W. c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.