Ray Jones

Ray Elwood Jones peacefully departed from this life and returned to his heavenly home on Aug. 25th at the age of 69 after his courageous battle with a brain tumor. When he received the diagnosis —months ago, he had a tear in his eye and said, “I’ve got my ticket to go home.” From that moment on he kept a positive attitude and sense of humor. He was ready to make the transition when the call came. Ray was born September 28, 1942, in Salt Lake City, to Elwood and Fern Marshall Jones. He spent the first 16 years of his life on 567 Grant Street; then when I-15 was developed, the State of Utah bought their home for the 600 North on ramp. The family moved to Bountiful where he graduated from Bountiful High in 1961. He was called on a mission to the Western States. After returning home, he immediately joined the Utah Air National Guard and attended BYU. He was proud to serve his country for 36 years, and retired June 1999. He loved the many loyal and devoted guardsmen he served with. He married his eternal companion, Donna Lee Peabody on February 11, 1966 in the Salt Lake Temple. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many capacities. Together they served a 23 month mission in St. George at the Church Historic Sites and the Temple Visitor Center. They made many wonderful eternal friends from the mission as well as from a lifetime of service in the church. He was a devoted and dedicated home teacher to whomever he was called to serve. They raised their six children in Bountiful and then moved to North Salt Lake fifteen years ago. His favorite place to be was home; whether in North Salt Lake or St. George, Utah.
He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was valiant in his testimony of Jesus Christ and would stand for truth under any circumstance. He had a patriotic love for country. He was a kind, humble man; a man of great integrity, and was loved by many. He took great care in keeping himself physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy. He ran three marathons and several half marathons and walked everyday with his sweetheart for many years. His greatest passion was knowledge, and could always be found reading and learning. He left this life with a heart filled with gratitude and appreciation for his experiences in mortality and for his knowledge and understanding of eternal life.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 46 years; six wonderful children and their spouses; Janet and Frank Alvarado (Syracuse), Stephen and Deana Jones (Layton), Kristine and Jonathan Housley (Wendell, ID), Sherilyn and Justin McFarland (Syracuse), Jeannie and Ryan Nicol (Syracuse), Trisha and Mike Wright (Syracuse); 37 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents and only sibling, Rhea Jones; and a granddaughter, Alison Alvarado.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, Aug. 30 at 11:00 am in the Foxhill Ward, 200 South Eagleridge Blvd., North Salt Lake. A viewing will be held Wednesday, Aug. 29 6-8 pm at the Russon Brothers Mortuary, 295 North Main Street, Bountiful and from 9:30-10:30 am at the Church prior to the funeral. Interment will follow at the Bountiful City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Ray would like you to contribute to the Perpetual Education Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.