B.T.

Great threads Roger. here's a single shot and a collage of my favorite example of a beachball style.. 3/4"plus.. I'll try to post some more.. BT

There are depressions from the marbles. Although it seems as though the padding was made with marbles in mind. All the guinea and cobra boxes that have been found with the original marbles have this same padding. There are close ups of the center peewee guinea in the box in another thread, a really cool marble.

From the collection of Ralph Lucht. Thanks Ralph! BT

Alan has posted a wonderful tribute to Les on his site! There is current information and will be more information coming about how to help Les’ family out during this difficult time. Thank you to all who have helped to make this a living tribute to the Big Guy! BT

Scoop pointed out to me tonight that that Carianne, Abby and Krystal have only been referred to as the girls. Sorry for this oversight! Les spoke of all his children on long road trips and at the shows. His son's name is Rob and the twins names are Renee and Rachel. Les also has two children through marriage...Bill and Becky. Like many others have mentioned I to have watched Carianne and Abby grow up and they are wonderful people with wonderful collections of their own:-)...so is and does Krystal:-) I hope I did not leave anyone out, if I did... Sue please let me know! We are all thinking of you all, Sue, Krystal, Carianne, Abby, Rob, Renee, Rachel, Bill, Becky and the rest of les' family BT

The stories we tell are the essence of who we are. Les had more stories than anyone I have known in our wonderful hobby, and not just about marbles. We all have these stories and we love telling them. Telling stories is an art form, some of us are much better at it than others. Les was a master story teller! He’d get you on the hook and every time the hours flew by, it was 4:00 am again, the stories having rolled us through the night like marbles shot from a wrist rocket. We are much more than the sum total of our experiences but these stories not only shape how we perceive ourselves, but also how others perceive us .... as well remember us. Les will always be a part of us that nobody can take away, the stories live in all of us! Two things that I loved about my good friend were very simple and don’t require a long story:-) Les loved his family more than language can possibly express. He loved to talk about his family:-)... Sue and all of his Children! Marbles were important to Les but his family was his life! At the end of a show Les would look at me and ask me what I wanted but didn’t have the money for after five days of spending to much already:-) It seems as though I never left a show without him rolling me a marble from his keeper box. He'd say, just pay me when you can or by the next show. I was unable to attend the New Philly show this year, the last time I saw him was at the Columbus show last August. The last marble I got from him was a special cobra I found at the Hannibal show about five years ago but didn’t have enough cash for at the time. Les bought it and told me, someday I could have it. He called it the “String Cobra,” neither of us had ever seen another one like it. There is a great story behind this marble, if anyone wants to hear it just find me at a show and I will do my best to tell it with the passion of GreatMarbles:-) BT

Below are the details for visitation and a service for Les. Sue asked that this information be posted for anyone who is able to attend. Visitation: Monday from 6:00 to 9:00 Tuesday from 4:00 to 9:00 Service: Wednesday 11:00 Visitation and the service will be held at the Chapel Lawn Funeral Home. The address is: Chapel Lawn Funeral Home 8178 Cline Avenue Schererville. Indiana 46375 There will be information about a college fund for the girls at the service, if you want to contribute it will be arranged! If you want to send a card or flowers send me a message and I will email you the address where Sue and his Family will get it. [email protected]

There will be vistation on Monday and Tuesday and a service on Wednesday. More specific details later.

........................................ The Ambassador ........................................ ..........................................“GreatMarbles”........................ .................. Thank You Liz and Mark Thompson for the wonderful images. The pics clearly show the passion that was sooooo contagious!!! Thanks to all that are making this thread special by sharing your stories! Please keep them coming. I know it means a lot to Sue...

BJ, The image is awesome .... thanks so much for posting it! BT

Right on Brad .... you said it like it was. I feel the same way! I will miss that laugh, the stories, and the vast wealth of knowledge he was always willing to share. I will miss the anxious anticipation during the weeks leading up to a show with a bunch of marbles to show the big guy! I will miss the road trips to Ohio, spending almost a week together talking about marbles and how much we love our families!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BT

Les Jones passed today. Sue and the Girls need all of our thoughts and prayers. Bill Tow I am glad for the time I was given just hanging out and sharing the joy of a childs toy with my friend Les. I can think of no other person who taught me more about marbles. When I think of Great Marbles I think of Les and always will. I know I am a better person for having known the big guy! Sad in Iowa!!! :-( BT