Arthur Junior Jones

Arthur Jr. Jones "Art" was born August 5th, 1933 to Arthur and Lida Bell Jones in Portland, Oregon. He was the youngest of five children; Robert, Roy, Betty, and Edith.

Art passed away on July 14th, 2024 with complications from a stroke on March 13th, 2024. After being in rehab for a month Art was sent home with only a couple days to two weeks left, or so they thought. Art was able to hold on for three more months having a host of family and friends visit with well wishes. He had his mind and sense of humor intact and never complained about his circumstances. Facing death, he was a stellar person of high character.

Art acquired a love of motorcycles and rode for many years before giving up riding for his family. He had a lot of friends back then and they managed to find a bit of excitement but not enough to get them into too much trouble, he only landed in the Astoria jail for speeding on the beach.

Art was the youngest of five children having two brothers, Robert and Roy, and two sisters, Betty and Edith all of whom preceded him in death. After graduating, he worked at a plywood factory and then at Pacific Plating before landing his career job at Oregon Brass Works in Portland. He was hired in 1962 when he joined the Machinists Union #63. He retired in 1995 after 33 years.

In 1957, Art married, Janet Cawley and they had two girls, Deborah L. and Susan D. After 12 years of marriage the two divorced. Art met his soulmate, Betty Oviatt, while in a bowling league. The two formed a friendship and later married in 1977 where Art took on the role of (step) Dad to her two boys, Troy and Steven. They lived in Clackamas for a few years until they had to move due to their property being bought up to build the Town Center Promenade. They found a home in Milwaukie where they continued to raise their boys and then moved to the home they are currently in. They spent the rest of his days at a beautiful house they transformed into an inviting home in the Milwaukie Heights area. While here they planted many fruit trees including Persimmons, Italian plums, apples, pie cherries, and an assortment of other fruits and vegetables. Art and Betty enjoyed entertaining and as such held many get-togethers for family and friends, Christmas being the biggest of all. After the children moved out to start their own families, Art and Betty bought a motorhome and began their travels in and around Oregon. Rivers, lakes, and casinos were some of their regular destinations.

Art worked hard in his private life remodeling their home, cleaning up rentals, putting new roofs on the rentals, and helping his kids put roofs on their homes too. He helped his children whenever he was asked and he did this without hesitation. His family was his pride and joy. Art picked up where he left off as a younger man, rebuilding and refurbishing old cars. Learning his mechanical skills from his dad, he was capable of taking doomed vehicles and turning them into prized possessions only to sell them and start a new car project.

Art and Betty invested in buying a vacation home in Manzanita where they extended invitations to their family to visit for weekends. They had the largest gatherings on July 4th and were joined by many family and friends to watch the town parade that went right in front of their home. After a picnic and a day of great companionship, the group would then meander down to the beach to watch the fireworks show. Later, Art and Betty acquired a home and 20 acres in Oakland. Through blood, sweat, and tears, the forest was transformed into a beautiful park-like setting. This was one of Art's favorite places to spend time. In the spring he and Troy spent many a day cutting up trees that had fallen during the winter storms and having bonfires that would put campfires to shame.

Art also had a love for fishing whether from the bank or his boat. At first, he owned leisure boats but soon figured out it was a spendy hobby with little to gain. He then switched to boats more suitable for fishing and he and his fishing buddies and family members were catching fish and crabs.

At the tender age of 73, Art picked up where he left off with his desire to ride motorcycles. His wife, Betty, son, Steve, and daughter, Susan and her husband, Mike were soon enrolled in the Oregon Riders Safety course. Only he and his daughter didn’t pass, having the same mistake of not turning their heads in corners. Soon enough the group joined Rose City HOGs and enjoyed long poker rides and long personal rides together. They also took a couple of road trips to farther destinations.

Art was crafty with wood and made a couple of chairs from branches, and birdhouses he shared with his family. He built sheds and other outbuildings including an outhouse in Sutherlin. He taught his children how to re-roof and paint homes. He also taught them ethics, humility, honesty, and being humble.

Art was a supporter of St. Jude, the Salvation Army, and a member of the American Legion Post # 180 in Milwaukie, Rose City HOGs out of former Latus Motors now known as Volcano, and a former member of the MG Owners Club.

Art is survived by his wife, Betty of 47 years; four children, Deborah (Chuck) Hall, Susan Wonderly, Troy (Chris) Oviatt, and Steve (Mandah) Oviatt; four grandchildren; Jennifer (Joesph) Jesse and their two sons, Kristin (Rian) Groener and their two sons, Brittany (Adam) Kunkle, and their son and daughter, and Jake Oviatt. Art was preceded in death by his two brothers, two sisters, and his son-in-law, Michael Wonderly.

Art, Daddy, Papa, Grandpa, and Hon, all loving names bestowed upon a most deserving, upstanding man who will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

A Funeral Service will be 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at Stehn Family Chapels Milwaukie Tribute Center, Milwaukie, OR with a concluding Cemetery Service at Lincoln Memorial Park, Portland, Oregon.