R. Keith Jones

Richard Keith Jones, “Keith,” passed away on June 10, 2021, just 47 days after his beautiful wife Nonna passed away. Despite his diagnosis of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in 2018, he remained extraordinarily strong, always expressing his profound love and appreciation for his family.
Keith was born on July 25, 1933 in his family home in North Ogden, Utah. Keith is the second of four children born to Violet Reynolds and Joseph Smith Jones. When not in school, the majority of Keith’s childhood was spent working in the orchards of his family fruit farm. It is there where his legacy of incredibly hard work began. The Jones family was known for producing the most impeccable fruit in the Ogden area.
Keith developed a very strong passion for music. He played the base drum in the Weber High School Band. Keith and his friends also formed their own country band called “The Valley Boys” in which he played the steel guitar. They became quite the hit and kept busy playing for numerous events. Later in life, Keith liked to challenge himself by playing the organ. He also loved to sing and participated in many church choirs. One of his last singing performances was in an exquisite local production of Handel’s Messiah.
Keith graduated from Weber High School in 1951. He served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the California San Diego Mission from 1953-1955. He married the love of his life, Nonna Mae Empey, on August 10, 1956 in the Salt Lake Temple. They began a magnificent adventure together that took them to many places throughout the United States and beyond. Over their 64 years of marriage, they raised 5 children and lived in 34 different homes in 4 different states.
Keith and Nonna continually stressed the importance of education. Keith earned a B.S. degree in engineering and M.B.A. from Utah State University. He earned an Ed.D. in education administration from Brigham Young University. Keith and Nonna were the ultimate supporters of university academics and athletics. Their proudest moments were watching their children and grandchildren graduate from college. It was an annual tradition for Keith and Nonna to attend Utah State’s homecoming weekend. They also enjoyed many years as season ticket holders for University of Utah basketball and gymnastics. They followed the “Red Rocks” to several national championships in various states.
Keith set very high career aspirations for himself. In the beginning of his career, he worked for the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, Thiokol, Raytheon in Santa Barbara, Unisys, and the University of Utah Hospital. After finishing his Ed.D., he joined a start-up business consulting firm in Portland, Oregon named The Sage Institute. His most valued contracts were working with American Airlines and the United States Army. He was elated when he obtained his security pass to work in the Pentagon. Keith finished his career working for the natural gas conversion and fueling corporation Trillium USA.
Keith loved to travel both within the United States and abroad. His favorite places included Utah’s and Wyoming’s national parks, Lake Powell, San Diego, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Keith and Nonna particularly loved Europe. Keith took Nonna on many of his business trips during which they explored England, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Austria, and Germany. Keith was an excellent navigator. No matter the language spoken, he could always find where he needed to go. He got a big kick out of driving on the German autobahn. As they traveled, Keith and Nonna attended as many classical music performances as possible. They fulfilled a life-long dream of attending the Oberammergau Passion Play in 1990.
Despite a busy work schedule, Keith made sure to reserve time for recreation and athletic endeavors. He was a boating enthusiast who loved to try out different lakes and reservoirs. He waterskied, but loved driving the boat the most. He liked to snow ski at Alta and Powder Mountain. Keith, Nonna, and their daughter Laurie achieved remarkable hiking goals together including summiting Kings Peak. Keith was especially passionate about running. He kept running and racing into his mid-80s. He loved to train at the Bountiful High School track. His favorite races included the Deseret News 10k, Salt Lake Classic, Canyonlands 5 mile, and the Huntsman Senior Games 10k and 5k. Keith did not just love to race, he loved to podium. Behind his typical soft-spoken demeanor, was an ultra-feisty competitive spirit that would propel him past other runners to secure a medal.
Keith was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was filled with Christlike love, humility, and spiritual integrity. He served as a counselor in many bishoprics and as a stake clerk. He also served in the Bountiful Temple for 15 years.
Keith was a deeply devoted son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He loved his family fiercely and continued to worry about each one of us up until his very last hours. We will all severely miss our favorite boat captain and running idol. Dad-you have run an exceptional race. You conquered every hill with unmatchable strength and have reached a glorious finish. Your example of hard work and faith will continue to inspire generations.
You are THE BEST Dad and Grandpa. WE LOVE YOU!
Keith is survived by his children, Richard Jones (Beth), Julie Newey (Marty), Laurie Halliday (Harley), Susan Wyatt (Brad), Elizabeth Rooklidge (Erik), 12 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, June 17, 2021 at the Bountiful Moss Hill Ward, 455 South 1200 East, Bountiful, where family and friends may attend the viewing that morning from 9:30-10:45 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the School of Music Gift Fund at the University of Utah. ugive@admin.utah.edu
Those who wish to attend the service virtually may do so by going to Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page or this obituary page.