Rudger Jones

Rudger Edward Jones died peacefully February 20, 2005 at Lakeview Hospital, Bountiful, Utah, incident to old age. At age 90 Rudger completed a full and exemplary life. He was born July 10, 1914 in Provo, Utah the first son of Thatcher ?C? and Vera Harding Jones.

His mother, Vera, died at age 29 during the World Wide flu epidemic of World War I, leaving two young sons, Rudger age 4 and Kaye, age 1 .

Thatcher remarried and with his two small children and his new bride, Glenette Clark, moved to New York City, New York.

Rudger attended Elementary and High School in New York, and at age 16 entered Brigham Young University, earning a Bachelors Degree in Business. At age 20 he was on his way to fulfill a 3-year French Mission. The mission consisted of France, Switzerland, and Belgium.

A special experience for Rudger, during his mission, was receiving permission to attend the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. This is where Jessie Owens received his Gold Medals, and Adolph Hitler refused to acknowledge him.

At the completion of his mission, he attended the University of Paris where he earned two advanced degrees in French.

Returning to New York, he attended Graduate School at New York University, earning a Masters Degree in Retailing.

He Married Ethel Hansen January 25,1941 and three daughters were born, Carolyn, Susan and Allison. Rudger and Ethel were later divorced.

Rudger was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a communication officer on a destroyer

His retailing career took him to New York, Wisconsin, California, Texas, Georgia and Utah.

He married Nelda Van Orden Pogue on December 28, 1968 in Ogden, Utah. That marriage was sealed in the L.D.S Salt Lake Temple one year later.

Nothing was more important or enjoyable to Rudger than serving his Father in Heaven as a life-long member of the L.D.S. Church. Upon retiring from his professional life he accepted many callings in his church including and 18 month mission with his wife Nelda to the Swiss Temple, 1984-1986. He enjoyed his time as a French speaking Volunteer in the L.D.S. Church Member Locator Department and a French speaking Guide on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

He was a long time volunteer at the L.D.S. Hospital Heart-to-Heart Program. Rudger loved all sports, attended the L.D.S. Hospital Fitness Center for many years.

He and Nelda traveled extensively. He was an avid reader with a fantastic memory, and anyone who has ever met Rudger has been a recipient of his ?gentle? handshake.

Rudger is survived by his wife Nelda; daughters Carolyn Dennis Hughes, Salt Lake City; Susan Jones, Redwood City, California; Allison Paul Sprague, Salt Lake City; step-children Kathy Gary Chugg, Riverdale, Utah; Allen Margo Pogue, Blue Springs, Missouri; step-niece Joan Bill Conrad, Ogden; brother Kaye H Anne Jones, Naples, Florida; half- sisters Phyllis Andrew Kimball, Salt Lake City, Dorothea Don Larsen, San Jose, California; half-sister-in-law Neola Hal Jones, Gilbert, Arizona; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren.

Proceeded in death by his mother, father, step-mother, half brother Hal Jones, half brother-in-law Don Larsen, grandson Robert Jensen, granddaughter Alaura Jensen.

Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, February 23, 2005 at 11:00 A.M. at the Mueler Park Stake Center, 2015 East Ridgehill Drive, Bountiful, Utah. Visitors are invited to visit the family at Russon Bros. Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Tuesday February 22, from 6 to 8 P.M. and before the funeral services on Wednesday February 23, from 9:45 to 10:45 A.M. at the church. Burial to be in the Provo City Cemetery.