Our beloved father, James (Jim) Dennis Jones, left this world on April 10, 2026. Jim was born to Dorman Jones and Marie Montis at the County Hospital (now UC Davis) in Sacramento, California, on February 26, 1938. He is descended from CA pioneers and is a 4th generation Sacramentan. He spent his entire life in the East Sacramento/Elmhurst neighborhood and remained at his childhood home where he raised his family for over 80 years. Jim was an alumnus of Immaculate Conception Catholic School, Christian Brothers High School, and attended Sacramento State University. From a young age, he was an avid motorcycle racer, joining the Fort Sutter Motorcycle Club with his father and participated in the hound and hare runs and trials. Known for his "retro" green and gold checkered helmet, Jim raced a DOT with a Vierra engine and famously helped set up Sacramento's 3 Star Raceway, located off Watt Avenue near McClellan Air Force Base. In a 2017 interview with Michael Blanchard, Jim fondly recalled 3 Star's concentric tracks, where he was one of the stars of the dirt track in 1958 alongside his lifelong friend Rich Hardmeyer and the Corder family.

His racing legacy and beloved April 26, 1957, *Sacramento Bee* caricature—which dubbed the 19-year-old "throttle jockey" as a rider who made others "eat his dust" ahead of a cross-country race near Colfax—are proudly featured in Kimberly Reed Edwards' book *Sacramento Motorcycling: A Capital City Tradition* A true pioneer in the local racing community, Jim owned the first Bultaco in Sacramento. He loved to share the story of ordering his 200cc Sherpa, laughing about uncrating the bike only to find it covered in mud because Bultaco test-rode their motorcycles before shipping them!

Following in the footsteps of his father, great uncles, and great-great grandfather, Jim built a long career at Southern Pacific Railroad (later Union Pacific), retiring after 43 years as a locomotive machinist. He loved to share he was apart of a family who, in total, worked at SP for over 150 years.

Jim married his beautiful red head, Beverly Corder Miller on October 4, 1964 in Sacramento and together they built a wonderful life and family for over 62 years. He was a devoted father to Gerry, Susan, Jack, Sandra, and Katie. He never missed a school event and frequently volunteered at their schools (All Hallows, CBS, and St. Francis). He proudly wore a CB baseball hat around town for most of his retired years. On the back of his hat, it celebrated the CBS Falcons’ 1981 SAC-JOAQUIN Section Championship Football Hall of Fame team which his son was apart of.

You could always find Jim tinkering in his garage with the radio playing a game or 50’s music while restoring classic Schwinn bicycles or vintage motorcycles like Triumphs, Greeves, and DOTs. He enjoyed tending to his extensive garden where he often shared tomatoes, peas, red onions, zucchini, melons, and corn with loved ones and friends.

Jim was a devoted sports fan watching the San Francisco Giants, San Francisco 49ers, and college football with his family, his favorite can of ice-cold soda in hand, and one of his dogs on his lap. He sparked a love of sports that his daughters and grandchildren carry on today. Amongst Jim's absolute greatest pride and joy was the many longtime friendships he made from the various paths he took in life and the relationship he had with his animals, spending quiet time petting his dogs and garden cats, including his last precious Dachshund, Hunter.

Jim is survived by his wife, Beverley Jones; his daughters, Geraldine Bonds (Larry), Susan Miller, Sandra St. Louis (Chris), and Miss Katie Jones; his loving sister, Genevieve Smith; dear sister-in-law, Barbara Evans, his grandchildren, David Coleman, Joshua Bonds (Jessica), and Robert St. Louis; his great-grandchildren, Sam and Kalani Coleman; and his many loving nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his son, Jack Jones; his granddaughter, Sarah Jones; his sister, Ellen Hoffman; and his brother, Danny Tompkins.

Services and internment will be held at East Lawn Cemetery on Folsom Blvd on Friday, April 24th, at 1:00 p.m.