James Edward Jones was practically born into drum corps. Born in Casper, Wyoming in 1921, his parents were involved in the local American Legion post. At the tender age of twelve, the young Jones accompanied his parents to Chicago were he got his first live taste of drum corps.

Jim participated in the 1935-36 American Legion Nationals, and further in 1939, placed second nationally as a snare drummer. Jim entered the University of Nebraska, playing in the Cornhusker band in the 1941 Rose Bowl. Like most young men of that era, Jim was called to serve his country. He joined the Air Corps and flew missions between India and China. Following his service in the war effort, Jim flew cargo flights for the Flying Tigers. In 1946, he married his schooldays sweetheart, Grace Leaders. To this marriage were born Cathy, Laurel, Gail, Lynne, and Jim III, who were all destined to become members of the Troopers.

The intervening years brought success to Jim. He established a flourishing contracting business in Casper. In the mid-fifties, he activated the Senior Corps within the framework of the local legion post, and in 1957 started the Casper Drum and Bugle Corps, Inc. Jim formed a corporation and borrowed $4,000.00 to start the corps. Auditions were held; a 54 member group was formed. We now know this corps as the Troopers. In 1958, their first summer out as a corps, the Troopers could hardly march, but by 1970, the corps had won every major national title they contended for. Although never winning a DCI National title, the list of championship awards is just as impressive: VFW, CYO, North American, Midwest Circuit, American Legion and World Open. 

"I started the corps because I was in a Junior corps myself here in Casper...and we all enjoyed it a great deal...and I felt the youth of today would enjoy it just as much as I did...so I started the corps."

The Troopers were a founding member of the Midwest Combine and a charter member of Drum Corps International. The Troopers revolutionized drum corps in the sixties with the idea of "touring drum corps" and "arcs and curves" in the M & M programs. The Troopers assisted many great corps of the modern era get off the ground; most notably, the Santa Clara Vanguard and Stockton Commodores. Names like Fred Sanford and Pete Emmons can be found on the long list of Trooper alumni. For his revolutionary ideas, leadership, vision and commitment to the youth in drum corps, Jim was elected to The DCI Hall of Fame in 1985.

James Edward Jones passed away on June 8, 1994. At his funeral, former Trooper, Les Bowron, reminded us all of a special lesson each of us took away from the corps. That lesson "--that life must be prepared for and attacked with precision; that losing is only part of your preparation for the next victory; and that when you cross the finish line, you shouldn't have to look back, because you know as the gun sounds, you did your best."