Mr. Lilburn Jones

March 27, 1925 - September 4, 2016

A new star appeared in the heavens yesterday, a spirit that burned bright on the earthly plane for over ninety-one years. Born in Newburyport, MA, to G. Howard Murley and Louise May Jones, Lilburn “Jonesy” Jones was an honored member of the Tenth Mountain Division who served in Italy during WWII. As a sergeant, he was proud to have brought all his men home safely. Taking advantage of the GI bill, Dad headed west, first graduating from Lassen JC, then Chico State, where he met and married Donna Marie Elliott. With skiing in his blood, he relocated to the mountains, working in various aspects of the ski business, including ski instructor, ski patrol, and finally mountain manager at Heavenly Valley Ski Area. He worked to open the first ski lift at Mt. Shasta, served as ski patrol leader at Squaw Valley, helped create the first ten-year master plan at Heaven Valley with the assistance of Robert Shedd. He also wrote the master plan for Kirkwood Ski Area and was instrumental in establishing Silver Basin Ski Area, now known as Iron Mountain. Jonesy is survived by his wife of 62 years, Donna, daughters Louisa and Carroll-Sue, and grandsons Marcale and Brandon. An avid skier and mountain man, Dad liked nothing better than to be out in nature, sniffing the breezes, and watching wildlife. May the paths of Heaven be lined with balsam fir and your star always shine brightly, Dad. We miss you. *Honoring Jonesy’s wishes, there are no services scheduled for this time. Donations can be made in his name to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, Inc. at LTWC.org.