Raymond Avery Jones

Raymond Avery Jones was born 14 December 1928, on his Grand-Parents couch, in Sugar City, Idaho to Avery Jones and Rachel Newby. The oldest of 7 children Raymond's siblings are Sylvester (Vester) Jones, Donna Cowdin, Geraldine Curr, Eleaner Campbell, Terry (Kathy) Jones, and Brent (Karen) Jones.
Raymond's childhood was spent in the wilds of Idaho, attending school in Sugar City and summering in Kilgore and Kamas, where he was found fishing, and working as a handyman alongside his grand-father. One of his fond memories was helping his grandfather clean the local school and clearing the second-floor escape slide. Raymond also worked for various neighbors doing farm work, chores, or other odd jobs. When he was in eighth grade he moved to Kingston, Washington for a year because his father got a construction job there. As teenager Raymond spent his summers working hard at the family saw mill.
He also took Genealogy Courses at Ricks College earning several certificates of accomplishment. All of these things helped him to prepare for his calling as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the age of 20. His father was reluctant to let him serve a mission at first, however with some encouragement from Raymond's grandparents he was allowed to serve. He was called to serve in the Hawaiian Islands Mission from 1949 to 1951.
Raymond loved his Mission and his service would influence him for the rest of his life. He spent much of his time relating stories from serving there to most anyone who would listen. Many of these stories included his time spent serving in the leper colony of Kalaupapa, setting foot on all but one of the main islands, and serving while Mount Mauna Loa erupted on 1 Jun 1950. He also served around the former Japanese internment camp of Kaunakakai on the island of Moloka'i. While serving he had the privilege of meeting President George Albert Smith when he visited the islands.
Upon his return to the mainland Raymond returned to work in Idaho and then moved to Utah shortly thereafter. It was there, after several years, that he would meet Arronia Lou Harding whom he affectionately called Ronnie. With some encouragement from his friends and family, a courtship ensued and the two of them were soon sealed for time and eternity in the Logan, Utah Temple on 5 Dec 1962. They settled in Clearfield where they would stay the rest of their lives and raise 5 children.
Raymond worked in the Air Freight carpentry department at Hill Air Force Base where he built packaging crates around aircraft parts and most anything else that needed to be shipped. While working there he had only one major injury in which he nearly lost a finger when it was pinned under a C-5 landing gear strut. He retired in 1986 having worked for there for 34 years and almost never using any sick days. He then worked for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as a custodian for an additional 10 years.
Raymond held many church callings throughout his life in the Young Men's, Bishopric, and High Priest Group. He was also a renowned home teacher and minister. His service to others was legendary. It seemed as though he was always helping anyone and everyone that he could. He was almost always working, especially in the family garden or in the yards of neighborhood widows.
Raymond's hobbies included fly fishing, gardening, reading, being in nature, learning about and watching animals, and whistling. Raymond was compelled to search out his family history which was his primary hobby for nearly all of his life. Additionally, he served four service missions laboring in Family History.
He is survived by his children, Devin (Keri) Jones, Janae Jones, Radene (Mark) Stoker, Marilee (Mike) Blair, and Laren (Melissa) Jones. His grandchildren, Trenton (Anne) Jones, Tyler (Ashley) Jones, Tanner (Ruby) Jones, Tricia Jones, T'enna Jones, Rachel Stoker, Kyle (Darla) Stoker, Cynthia Stoker, Austin Stoker, Jayce Stoker, Shaylee Stoker, Kellie Rasmussen, Ian Blair, Christopher Blair, Keaton Jones, Kendall Jones, and Kaitlyn Jones. His great grandchildren, Laneah, Margret, Raiden, Carmelita, Weston, baby 2021, and many other beloved family members.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Arronia; parents; grandparents; his sister, Geraldine; sister in-law, Anita; and brother in-laws, Charles, Clyde, Larry, Mark; and other cherished family members.
Services will be held on 27 March 2021 at Myers Mortuary, 250 North Fairfield Rd. Layton, Utah. A viewing will be held from 9:00am to 10:30am. Funeral services will be held at 11:00am in the Myers Mortuary Chapel. Burial services will be held following the funeral service at Myers Evergreen Memorial Park, 100 North Monroe Blvd, Ogden, Utah.
An online broadcast of the funeral services can be accessed here on the day of the service.
Please follow state guidelines for social distancing and personal protection.