Edward Lake “Dusty” Jones, MD, 88, passed way on June 6, 2023, at Medicalodges, Great Bend, Kan. He was born on March 21, 1935, in Wellington, Kan., to Thomas and Grace (Sydebotham) Jones. On August 30, 1956, he married Barbara Blount in Larned, Kan. She passed on April 20, 1998. He then married Debbie (Ahrens) Clarke on August 17, 2003. She survives.
A 1953 graduate of Dodge City High School, Dr. Jones attended the University of Kansas for both his undergraduate and medical degree. There, he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha – Betta Gamma chapter, Phi Beta Kappa – Alpha chapter, Alpha Omega Alpha – Alpha chapter, Phi Mu Alpha – Xi chapter and was accepted to the Order of DeMolay – Dodge City chapter.
Dr. Jones then volunteered to serve his country in the United States Coast Guard, where he was the chief medical officer at the Indian Hospital in Ft. Yuma, Ariz., with his duty site being San Diego during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was honorably discharged in 1963 but remained enlisted in the Army Reserves until around 1980.
After his military service, he returned to Kansas as a general practitioner before diving into his long-time interest of pathology at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. Dr. Jones then made his way to Great Bend, becoming a pathologist, working with Dr. Jerry Sayler and Dr. Rex Degner, at Central Kansas Medical Center (CKMC/St. Rose) for over 46 years, until he retired in 2015. But his care and expertise were not limited to the one hospital – he served as consulting staff throughout central and northwest Kansas, including Hays Medical Center. During these years, he served as the Medical Director of Laboratory, Chief of Medical Staff from 1980-1982, and a member of the Board of Directors from 1980-1982 and 1997-2006. Dr. Jones also served on multiple committees, including Medical Staff Executive Committee, Chairman of Infection Control Committee, Chairman of Utilization and Medical Care Committee. While holding these positions, he also was a member of the Kansas Medical Society from 1969–2006, College of American Pathologists starting in 1970, and both the American and Kansas Society of Clinical Pathologists from 1969-2006, where he served as the Kansas chapter President from 1982-1984.
Along with his many rolls in the medical field, Dr. Jones continued to serve the state as the coroner for the 20th and 24th Judicial Districts until retirement in 2019. He also was a medical advisor and part time instructor at Barton Community College from its inception until 2000.
He loved the arts - particularly singing and theater, traveling, nature, and especially helping others.
Survivors include his wife, Debbie, of the home; two sons, Matthew Jones, of Great Bend, Kan., and Thomas (Marsha) Jones of Overland Park, Kan; two daughters, Kimberly (Craig) Vink of Great Bend, Kan., and Sheila Jones of Great Bend, Kan.; six grandchildren, Chelsea (Trent) Mermis, Abbey (Eric) Swenson, Allie Jones, Grant Jones, Dawn (Josh) Martin and Scott Vink; five great grandchildren, Madilynn Mermis, Mac Mermis,
Olive Swenson, Remy Martin, Evan Vink and one additional great grandson due in July; and a sister, Evelyn Sanborn of Walnut Creek, Calif. Also surviving are Debbie’s five sons, Brian (Brandi) Clarke of Wichita, Kan., Kevin (Kim) Clarke of Great Bend, Kan., Steven Clarke of Great Bend, Kan., Chris (Katie) Clarke of Kansas City, Mo., and David Clarke of Great Bend, Kan.; and four grandchildren, Weston Clarke, Evan Clarke, Kelsey Clarke, and Kinsley Clarke. He is preceded in death by his first wife of 43 years, Barbara; a granddaughter-in-law, Jovanna Vink; and two sisters, Elizabeth Caldwell and Gayle Vann.
Visitation will take place from Noon to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, 2023, with family receiving guests from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, June 9, at the First Presbyterian Church, Great Bend, Kan., with Reverend Kathleen Luke presiding. Inurnment will follow at Larned Cemetery, Larned, Kan. Memorials have been designated to Edward L. Jones, MLT Endowment at Barton Community College, Great Bend Community Theater, or the Alzheimer’s Association, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.