Fletcher Jones; Built Chain of Car Dealerships in 2 States

Fletcher Jones, a colorful car dealer who built a chain of agencies from a single Los Angeles lot, died Thursday in Las Vegas.

He was 76. At the time of his death from what his family described as natural causes, Jones had amassed an organization of 11 domestic- and foreign-car dealerships in California and Nevada--a long way from selling his first automobile for $70.

From his start at a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership in Los Angeles in 1950, his business grew rapidly.

He became omnipresent in the early days of television advertising, smiling and cuddling puppies and kittens on camera and offering to send a portion of his auto sales profits to animal shelters.

Jones opened his first Nevada dealership in Las Vegas in 1966.

In 1992, Auto Age 500 reported his dealerships as the 12th largest group in the country.

He attended the University of Southern California on a basketball scholarship and opened his first car lot with only $1,200 in capital.

Survivors include a son, Fletcher Jr., husband of Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones; another son, Robert, daughters Stephanie and Bonnie and 10 grandchildren.