Joel Jones, former president of Fort Lewis College, dies Wednesday, July 13, 2016. Here's a look at Jones' life in the Durango community over the past years.
Joel Jones, who served as president of Fort Lewis College from 1988 to 1998, died Wednesday at 78. During his presidency, he taught a senior seminar every fall, the only college president in Colorado at the time to teach in the classroom.
Fort Lewis College President Emeritus Joel Jones, right, died Wednesday at 78.
Joel Jones, former Fort Lewis College president, in his official presidential portrait in 1988, shortly after he came to FLC. He died Wednesday at 78.
Joel Jones congratulates Meredith Mapel for becoming a member of First National Bank of Durango’s board of directors at a reception at the bank in February 2013. Jones served on the board for 24 years until his “mandatory” retirement at 75.
Joel Jones, right, former Fort Lewis College president, at an award ceremony in 1993, one of many such ceremonies both during and after his presidency. Jones was often asked to serve as the master of ceremonies, present awards and speak at events during his almost 30 years in Durango. He died Wednesday at his home.
Morley Ballantine chairs a Center of Southwest Studies steering committee meeting in 1997, with, from left to right, William Winkler, Mel Goodman, Fort Lewis College President Joel Jones, Morley Ballantine, with Florence Lister in foreground on the third floor of Reed Library, the location of the center before the new building was built. Jones led the creation of a Master Facilities Plan for the college during his presidency, which included building the new center.
Joel Jones, center, makes a toast to Music Director and Conductor Arthur Post, right, at the end of his 12th season and beginning of his 13th and final season with the San Juan Symphony in 2014. Supporters of the symphony are at its Spring Gala, which was held at the Sow’s Ear. Jones chaired the board of the symphony, one of many boards where he lent his leadership expertise.
From left, Jeff Solon, Joel Jones, Rochelle Mann and Fred Wildfang celebrate a successful poetry reading of Jones’ poetry collection I Hold the Stone, and The Stone Holds Me at the Karyn Gabaldon Gallery on Feb. 8, 2016. Jones died Wednesday at the age of 78.
Former Fort Lewis College president Joel Jones, circa 1998, in a familiar stance, microphone in hand. Jones died Wednesday at the age of 78.
In August 2013, Joel Jones and his wife, Rochelle Mann, celebrate his 76th birthday at Guy Drew Winery in McElmo Canyon in Montezuma County. They purchased the trip at a fundraiser for the San Juan Symphony, one of many organizations Jones supported by providing leadership on its board.
Maria’s Bookshop owners, Andrea Avantaggio and Peter Schertz, right, chat with longtime customer Joel Jones, in 2014 as they celebrate the store’s 30th anniversary. Jones died Wednesday at the age of 78, and Maria’s, where he was a devoted customer, is planning a display of his favorite authors and his book of poetry.
Colorado Gov. Roy Romer, center, joins Ed Zink, chairman of the 1990 World Mountain Bike Championships organization committee, left, and Joel Jones, Fort Lewis College president, and nearly 1,000 other spectators at the events at Purgatory Resort. Jones died Wednesday at the age of 78.
Joel Jones, shown in his Durango home in March 2003, had a deep love for his dogs. Jones died Wednesday at the age of 78.
Joel Jones, in front of Sage Hall at Fort Lewis College in February 2007, checks out the hall that was later named after him. Jones, a former president of the college, died Wednesday at the age of 78.
Joel Jones has a lot of books to pack in the Fort Lewis College presidential office on April 28, 1998, during his last year leading the college. Jones, who died Wednesday, continued to advise and support succeeding college presidents after his retirement.
