<p> Roger Lee Jones, 75, passed away at his home in the vineyards of Carmela Winery in Glenns Ferry on Monday, August 19, 2013. He is remembered as a father of four, grandfather of eight, businessman, entrepreneur, Idaho potato and lottery champion, and Idaho Vandal standard bearer and vintner.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">He was born as the second of three sons to Rolland D. Jones, then a potato inspector, and Dorothy (McQuain) Jones in Rupert, on April 22, 1938. As a youth, Roger enjoyed hunting, fishing, skiing, golfing, and helping his father with farming and the family owned fresh packing plant, Rolland Jones Potatoes. In 1966, Roger and his father built Magic Valley Foods, one of Idaho’s first dehydrated potato plans in Rupert. Roger also worked with food scientists at Procter & Gamble to develop Pringles Potato Chips.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">After the death of his father in 1974, Roger became the president of the potato companies. He soon built Magic West, a second plant in Glenns Ferry, to supply the flake needs of P&G and Yamazaki Nabisco, a Japanese company who had a similar prefab potato chip.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Roger was one of the longest serving members on the Idaho Potato Commission from 1980 to 1988 and served as chairman from 1984-84. He was also responsible for opening up the Pacific Rim market to Idaho potato products. Nationally, he served on the board of the United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Association from 1990 to 1994 and was Chairman of the Board in 1993-94.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">A Celebration of Life/Memorial will be held today August 26, 2013, at the Methodist Church, 605 H Street, Rupert at 10:00 A.M. Another event will also be held at Carmela Winery at 4:00 P.M. on the same day. Please wear your Vandal colors if you have them. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to the Roger Lee and Nancy Joy Jones scholarship fund at give by mail to University of Idaho Foundation, 875 Perimeter Dr., Moscow, ID 83844.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>AndNowUKnow would like to extend our deepest condolences to Roger's family and friends. </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
