Lavon Jones Obituary (1919 - 2005)

After several tender goodbyes from his wife and six surviving children, LaVon Jones let go of the hands that held his and passed away in his home on October 29, 2005. Though his family often joked about LaVon having 9+ lives, cancer was the only illness or accident from which he could not recover. He was born on May 25, 1919 in Enoch, Utah to Myron Simpkins and Mary Davenport Jones. He and his twin sister were raised on a farm with seven other siblings; 4 sisters and 3 brothers. LaVon lived a life dedicated to the gospel. He began his service to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a missionary in the Northern States Mission. He later served as a Bishop [13yrs.], a member of the Lakewood Colorado Stake Presidency and as a member of the Denver Temple Committee. In 1986 he was set apart as a sealer in the Denver Colorado Temple, a position he cherished until the end of his life. After his mission, he met "the choicest girl in the world," Ruth Holyoak. They were married in the St. George Temple on Nov. 7, 1941. Ruth has always stood by his side and together they raised a family of seven children, 23 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. In 1952, LaVon and Ruth moved their family to Denver, Colorado. This was a major life-change for them. He began associations and friendships that would endure for the 45 years they lived in Colorado. LaVon founded his own business, Intermountain Wholesale in 1958. There were difficult times in the beginning, but it ultimately thrived under his hard work, integrity and commitment. His business remains in the family today. Dad loved Colorado. His family will always find his spirit in the cabin they built together in the Colorado Rockies. It was only after being diagnosed with cancer that he left the green mountains of Colorado and moved to Utah so he and Ruth could be close to their daughters. He lived in Perry, Utah surrounded by the orchards he loved for eight years. LaVon had a great love for his ancestry and subsequently he and Ruth served a mission to Martin's Cove, where he honored his pioneer heritage and the sacrifices his progenitors made. His ancestors were prominent in the Iron Mission in the Cedar City area. He founded the Iron Mission Park in Enoch, Utah and helped gather memorabilia for the Blacksmith Shop in Cove Fort, Utah. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Holyoak Jones; sons, Lee[Lynette] Jones, Denver, CO; Kevin Vaughn [Tanya] Jones, Manteca, CA; daughters, Shirley [Richard] Murri, Perry, UT; Coleen [Henry] Beutler, Brigham City, UT; Carol [Paul] Sonntag, Ogden, UT; Mava [Ronald] Day, SLC, UT, and brothers, M. Glen [Lorene] Jones and Denton D. [Mary] Jones. LaVon is preceded in death by his son, Bruce H. Jones; grandchildren Kristen Lea Beutler and Chad Hansen Jones, four sisters, one brother, and his parents. Funeral services will be held Friday, Nov. 4, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at the Perry 8th Ward Chapel, 685 W. 2250 S. Perry, UT. Friends and family may gather at the Myers Mortuary, 205 So. 100 E. Brigham City, UT on Thursday from 6 - 8 p.m. and Friday morning at the church from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. Graveside services will beheld on Saturday, November 5, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. in the Cedar City Cemetery. VisitationMyers Mortuary - Brigham City 205 South 100 East Brigham City, UT 84302 November 3, 2005 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM ServicePerry 8th Ward Chapel 658 West 2250 South Perry, UT 84302 November 4, 2005 11:00 AM CemeteryCedar City Cemetery 5865 South 1900 West Roy, UT 84067 November 5, 2005 11:00 AM