Jones Park
SIZE	17.2 Acres
LOCATION	8840 Shasta Lily Drive (east of), West of Union Pacific Railroad
PARK FEATURES	Open Play Area Babe Ruth Baseball Soccer Fields Tennis Courts Half Court Basketball Picnic Area/Tables Parking Lot for 100 vehicles Playground Equipment Restrooms Barbecue Shade Structure
COMPLETED	2003
BIOGRAPHY	The Jones Family have been active, giving members of the Elk Grove community for nearly 100 years. Ira B. Jones came to Elk Grove from Missouri and Selma Jones came to Elk Grove from Sweden. In 1906 they purchased the Elk Grove Water Company and established what would become "the family business." The company grew and prospered under the Jones' hard work and good fortune. In 1910, the Great Western Power Company added electrical power lines in Elk Grove from Florin that helped the company to supply better water pressure and in 1921, a new 52,000 gallon stainless steel water tank replaced the original redwood tank just North of Elk Grove Boulevard (then Main Street). In 1955, Ira was fatally injured while crossing Main Street on the way to the post office. He died at the age of 82. The reins of the water company were passed to his son, Marvin B. (Bud) Jones. Bud and his wife, Elizabeth Mary Jones, dedicated themselves to the community through the water business and a wide variety of community affiliations. Bud was an Elk Grove native, born in 1913. He was active in the Elk Grove Fire Department for more than 46 years as a fireman (1929), Fire Chief (1934), and later, a Director of the Fire District Board. He was Vice President of the Gibson Wine Company - working there 45 years - and served as President of the Elk Grove Merchants. He helped found a local bank and used his business skills as a member of the Elk Grove Community Advisory Committee to help community leaders plan for future commercial, residential, and industrial growth in the area. Bud belonged to a number of service clubs in the community including the Elk Grove Masonic Lodge, Sacramento Scottish Rite, Ben Ali Temple of the Shrine, and Native Sons of the Golden West. He was a charter member of the Elk Grove Rotary Club. Prior to the school district unification, he also served on the school board at Elk Grove Elementary School. In 1975, Bud was recognized as Elk Grove's Citizen of the Year. Bud passed away in 1986. Elizabeth Mary "Betty" Jones was born in Colorado in 1912 and moved with her family to Elk Grove in 1921. Betty graduated from Elk Grove Grammer School in 1927 and Elk Grove Union High School in 1931. She earned a diploma in 1934 from Mercy Hospital's Mater Misericordiae School of Nursing and worked in emergency rooms and as a surgical nurse for six years. She became a registered nurse in 1940. In the early 1950's, Elk Grove Elementary School Principal Raymond Case, persuaded her to become the first school nurse in Elk Grove - a position she held for 23 years. Besides her nursing career, Betty was active in the community as a Cub Scout den mother, Eastern Star, Elk Grove Fire Department Women's Auxiliary member, Rotary Club member, and a founder of the Elk Grove Western Festival. Betty passed away March 2, 2003 at the age of 90. Betty and Bud are survived by their son J.B. Jones of Elk Grove and their daughter Kathryn Jones Adams of Stockton. J.B. assumed operation of the Elk Grove Water Works in 1973 when his father's health declined until the business was sold in December 1999 to the Florin Resource Conservation District. The Jones family initiated scholarships in honor of Bud and Betty in 1999 to help support graduating Elk Grove High School students and nursing students.
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