Gordon J. Jones, 78, died Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at Flandreau Medical Center. Gordon was born July 23, 1931 at Poplar, MT to Harry and Bessie (Eastman) Jones. His parents were missionaries and he received his education in Poplar, Flandreau, and graduated from Oglala Community High School, Pine Ridge, in 1949. He joined the Army Air Corp and was discharged from the Air Force in 1954. He worked in California for an aircraft company and then returned to Pine Ridge and worked as a Police Officer. He worked for the Aberdeen Area Office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs at various assignments until retiring in 1980. Gordon was a member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe where he was tribal chairman in 1970-72, their former treasurer, trustee, judge, and was the executive director of the gaming commission until 1999 where he developed the National Indian Gaming Regulations. He served on various state and national boards of the Presbyterian Church, VFW, where he received the Tice–Gallagher Award in 1984, American Legion where he was state chaplain, member of the South Dakota Human Rights Commission and the Tourism and Public Broadcasting Commission. Governor Bill Janklow proclaimed April 15, 2002 as Gordon Jones Day. Gordon was active in community affairs and was a member of several service organizations including Kiwanis, Shriners, VFW, American Legion, American Indian Veteran Lodge and the Flandreau Bible Church.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Judy Jones, Flandreau; 4 children, Alan (Jennifer) Jones, Perkin, IN, Marci (Dale) Eng, Flandreau, Gordon (Linda) Jones, Flandreau, Charles (Melissa) Jones, Flandreau; 23 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren; brother, John (JoAnn) Jones, Sioux Falls; sister, Pearl Wakeman, Flandreau and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; 2 grandchildren, Jacob and Isabelle; 3 brothers, Richard, Harry Jr., Walter and a sister, Elaine.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 11:00 AM at Flandreau Bible Church with burial at First Presbyterian Cemetery, Flandreau. Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM Friday with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at Skroch Funeral Chapel.