Duane Ray Jones

On Saturday, September 19th, 2026 Duane Ray Jones joined his wife Debra Jones after a 14-month battle with brain cancer.

Duane was born November 27, 1952 to Gerald and Dorthy Jones in Nampa Idaho.

He grew up on a farm north of Nampa in the Franklin community along with his older sister Corene Jones-Litteer. Duane graduated from Vallivue High School in 1971. He then attended the University of Idaho on a scholarship from the Bureau of Mines to get his mining engineer degree.

He met the love of his life Debra Schmidt in the summer of 1973, thanks to a blind date set up by mutual friends. Duane and Debra were married on December 30, 1976.

Duane worked at several of the Silver Valley mines until the mines closed down in the early 80's. He then took a job at the Bureau of Mines in Spokane. Later Duane and Debra opened their own pellet stove store “Energy King” in Post Falls. After the closing of their pellet stove store Duane worked various manufacturing jobs until he retired.

Duane and Debra were blessed with the birth of their son Travis Jones in 1990. Duane coached multiple seasons of Travis's little league baseball, helped with Travis's Boy Scout troop meetings and was a Mariner and Seahawks fan. Later in life he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, going on long local scenic drives and computer science.

He is Survived by his son Travis Jones (wife Tia), their two children Lillian and Zachary, his sister Corene Jones-Litteer, and a host of friends.

Grave side celebration of life will be held at on Friday September 25th, at 11:00AM, at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, Duane's family requests you make a donation to Orchard Ridge Senior Living.