Sunday, February 1, 2015

Myles Rey Jones, Sharon's dad, at age 92. He passed away January 29, 2015.

Sorry we missed posting to our blog last week. Sharon usually writes the blog each week and puts in such interesting stuff and photos. She's gifted. But she's in Arizona while I stayed in Hungary so I decided to write a post today.

Sharon's parents, Myles and Elsie Jones, lived in northern New Mexico for most of their married lives but moved to Mesa, Arizona about five years ago. They bought a home in a retirement community which is located near several family members including two sons, Blaine and Nathan. 

On January 15 Sharon's dad, age 92, suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed and without the ability to swallow. After a short time in the hospital he was moved to a hospice center in Mesa where he passed away January 29. 

Sharon went from Hungary to Mesa to spend a few days with him while he could still communicate. She will be there for a memorial service Monday, February 2 and will then return to Hungary so we can complete our mission which is scheduled to end in early July.

Here is the obituary:

Myles Rey Jones, age 92, passed away Thursday, January 29^th in Mesa, AZ surrounded by family.  He was born September 14, 1922 in Goodyear, AZ to Daniel Dudley and Daisy Eleanor Huber Jones.  Most of his childhood was spent in southern Colorado.  He graduated from Mesa High School in 1940.

Myles then attended Arizona State University until entering the Army in 1943.  He was wounded in the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944 and spent three months in the hospital in New Guinea before being discharged in March 1945.

On a visit to Kirtland, NM he met Elsie Rose Swapp.  They were married in the LDS Salt Lake Temple August 21, 1945.  He so looked forward to celebrating their 70^th wedding anniversary in August.

He graduated from the University of Arizona in 1948 with a degree in civil engineering.

In 1951 they moved to a farm in Fruitland, NM where they raised their seven children. 

He served faithfully as bishop of the LDS Kirtland Ward and in many other callings.  He visited his home teaching families hours before suffering a stroke.  Together Myles and Elsie served LDS missions in New Zealand, the Mesa, AZ and Albuquerque, NM temples. 

Myles is survived by his wife Elsie, their seven children:  Sharon (Stan) Miller, Marsha ('Chick') Edwards, Arthur (Diane) Jones, Carma (Brent) Reeder, Blaine (Marylee) Jones, Nathan (Chantal) Jones, and Myla (Michael) Palmer; siblings:  Mary Eleanor Foutz (Evan) Lewis, Kent (Jorge) Jones, LaVaughn (Sherry) Jones, Elaine (Bill) Berkey, Hugh (Jayne) Jones, and Maeveen (Michael) Jack, sister in-law Mary Jones and brother in-law Duane Winn, 33 grandchildren, and 80 great-grandchildren.  Preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Urva Jones, LaVona (Jones) Hawkins, and Cleona (Jones) Winn; and brothers:  LeBaron, Lamar, Dan, Donald, Grant, Dudley, and Sam Jones.

A memorial service will be held Monday, February 2^nd at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 4640 East Holmes Avenue, Mesa.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 7^th, 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 473 CR 6100, Kirtland, NM.  A viewing will be held at the church prior to the service, 9:00 - 9:45 a.m.  Interment will be in the Kirtland/Fruitland Cemetery.