They came to mourn, but mostly they came to laugh and to celebrate.

People from all walks of life filled Denver’s Ellie Caulkins Opera House on Wednesday to remember Glenn Jones, the cable TV pioneer who died July 7 after a brief illness. He was 85.

They remembered a man with an impeccable sense of style, an unforgettable sense of humor and a drive to change lives for the better.

“He dreamed big dreams, achieving what others had yet to even recognize as possible,” said Mike James, a minister with Volunteers of America, one of Jones’ philanthropic causes.

Long-time friend and business associate Fred Vierra shared stories of Jones’ early life, recalling how Jones enlisted in the Navy and became an underwater demolitions expert. His job was to dive and get rid of ordinance, Vierra said, a job that “took a lot of courage, a lot of conditioning. Not too sure about intellect,” he added with a smile.

But Jones’ life saw took some key turns in the early 1960s. In 1964, he ran for to represent the 1st Congressional District. In turning him down, voters “did him – and us – a big favor,” Vierra said. Three years later, Jones took a $400 loan against his Volkswagen to buy a cable company in Georgetown.

Vierra regaled the audience with stories about Jones’ legendary sense of humor. “He loved a joke,” Vierra said. “But if he told a joke, pack a lunch.” That was because Jones would go into character, his friend recalled, when telling a joke or a story. He even once tried to get work as a stand-up comedian, but, in his only appearance on stage, Jones was met with a deafening silence. Someone threw a chair. Always one to make the best of a bad situation, Jones prompstly sat on it, earning him a hail of more chairs.

Jones was passionate about education as “the great equalizer,” starting Mind Extension University, a TV channel featuring college courses. By 1999, that evolved into Jones International University, the first accredited online university. Bob Malone, chair of the university’s board, called Jones “the catalyst for all of us,” adding, “He changed forever the world in general and higher education in particular.” (The university is scheduled to close next year due to declining enrollments.)

Several friends mentioned Jones’ love of a good suit. “Glenn was the most beautifully dressed person I’d ever seen, suits made of materials I’d never heard of, shoes made from animals I didn’t know existed,” said Dick Robinson. He joked that Jones wasn’t the best golfer, but he was the best-dressed golfer you ever saw.”

Robinson said he went fishing with Jones about a month ago and enjoyed the hours he spent with Jones, talking politics, careers, kids, “everything.”

Dan Ritchie, former chancellor of the University of Denver, talked about Jones’ work to promote the performing arts. Jones started “e-Shakespeare,” teaching students and educators how to perform Shakespeare. “It makes possible Denver’s Shakespeare festival for 5,000 students each year,” Ritchie said.

The service concluded with a brief film of highlights of Jones’ life, featuring his family, friends and important events. Everyone who attended the memorial received a copy of two books written by Jones, collections of poetry and short stories.

A reception followed at the Seawall Ballroom.

Joe and Daniel Marocco, two of Jones’ grandchildren, their grandfather shared his love of fine suits with them, often taking them shopping, and both wore scarves from Jones’ closet in his honor. “He was fun to be around – good dinners, good stories, he knew how to tell a story and carry an audience,” said Joe. He was “very inspiring, with understated confidence. As soon as he stepped into a room, you saw it,” said Daniel.

Attorney General Cynthia Coffman said she met Jones about 15 years ago, after she’d started dating now-Rep. Mike Coffman. “He was always one of my favorite people to seek out in a gathering. It sounds corny, but he had a great smile,” she said. “He was so genuine and caring.”

Jones is survived by his partner of 34 years, Dianne Eddolls; daughters Suzanne Jones and Christine Marocco; son John Paul; three grandsons; his sister Ruth Terrian and brother Neil Jones.

– info@coloradostatesman.com