Lowell G.  Jones, 71, of Ree Heights, passed away Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at the Miller Community Center with LDS branch president, John Hopkins, conducting the service.  Graveside dedication will follow at the GAR Cemetery, Miller. Visitation will be 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Monday, June 28, 2021, at Reck Funeral Home, Miller.

Lowell Gordon Jones was born July 8, 1949 to Wilbur and Evelyn (Allgaier) Jones in Miller, South Dakota. He was the youngest of five kids. Lowell grew up on a farm west of Miller and attended Miller School District, graduating with the Class of 1967. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from South Dakota State University of Brookings, South Dakota. He purchased his grandfather’s farm at the base of the Ree Hills.

Lowell married his young, beautiful bride Barbara Sargent on January 18, 1981, at Lowell’s home. There, they raised their children on the family farm. Lowell’s love for cattle had the family deeply involved in stock shows in South Dakota and around the country. It was here on the farm that Lowell taught his kids the value of hard work and, in turn, took pride in their many accomplishments.

Lowell enjoyed his athletic career in high school playing football and wrestling. He was a 2-time state high school wrestling champion and lettered 3 years at SDSU. Lowell often bragged about his injuries to prove how hard he had worked. He was proudly inducted into the South Dakota Wrestling Hall of Fame and Miller High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He served as FFA president, was involved in 4-H, and acted as a gorilla in a school play. Many of the roles and positions Lowell held were 4-H leader, wrestling and soccer coach, various leadership roles within his church, and Midland Township board member.

He took pride in his club calf sales and herd. Considered by club calf enthusiasts his bull, JJ, was viewed to have one of the best crop of calves in the year 1988.  Lowell was named the 1995 Outstanding Livestock Producer. In 2006, Lowell had one of the highest grossing club calf sales in South Dakota. Lowell’s calves went on to win many county, state, and national shows including the Denver Stock Show. His greatest accomplishment was winning the Iowa State Fair.

When the day seemed right, Lowell enjoyed fishing out at his dam, Lake Louise, the Missouri River, or wherever the opportunity presented itself. With his kids, he was able to take exciting fishing trips to Alaska, Canada, Lake Michigan, and North Dakota. This pastime was later shared with his grandkids.

Every encounter and conversation with Lowell was unique. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 40 years, Barb Jones; children: Ken (Libby) Jones of Highmore, Matthew (Andrea) Jones of Miller, Casper (Ashlie) Jones of Miller, Lisa (Jordan) Thornberg of Walhalla, ND, and Wilbur Jones of Miller; and eight grandchildren: Mia, Rowdy, Tobias, Malachi, Maverick, Miley, Rayza, and Wilder; a brother, Larry Jones of Yankton; and a sister, LaRita Monroe of Montana.

Lowell is greeted in heaven by his parents: Wilbur and Evelyn Jones; father and mother-in-law: Kenneth and Dorothy Sargent; infant daughter, Jennifer; infant grandson, Micah Thornberg; brother, LeRoy Jones; and sister, Lila Jones.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Lowell’s arrangements.

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