Thomas Jones

Thomas J Jones “TJ”

“TJ” Jones died on August 11, 2018 in Davis North Hospital, in Layton, Utah, after a brief struggle with complications incident to cancer.  He was surrounded by his large, loving family who serenaded him with his favorite songs.  TJ was born on November 28, 1934, in Cedar City, Utah, to Homer Swapp Jones and Barbara Belle Macfarlane.  On April 26, 1958 he married his sweetheart, D’Ann Olson of Lakewood, California in the Los Angeles LDS temple.  They were married for 60 years.

He is survived by two brothers, Kenneth Jones and Daniel Jones, his wife D’Ann, and nine children, Janelle (Ron) Adams; Julie (Chris) Treadwell; Jeff (Bonni) Jones; John (Rachelle) Jones; James (Elizabeth) Jones; Justin (Tiffany) Jones; Jennifer (Jared) Keller; Jessica (Bryan) Memmott; Jason (Jeni) Jones; 44 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.  TJ was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson, Jarom Jones.

TJ was easy-going and was greatly respected and loved for his honesty, integrity, subtle sense of humor and friendly personality. He was a big man with a big soul.  He attended Cedar High School, University of Utah and California State College.

TJ worked most of his career life as an accountant- manager for Associated Piping and Engineering in the Freeport Center in Clearfield, Utah.  The business changed owners several times and when TJ retired at age 73 it was owned by NAPTECH.

TJ served in the National Guard for 7 years. At officer training school at Camp Williams, Utah, he graduated at the top of his class and received the coveted “Silver Saber Award” as the outstanding cadet to graduate that year.  He again graduated at the top of his class in Artillery Officer Training School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma becoming a First Lieutenant.   In 1964 he was in line to become Battery Commander in Arcadia, California, but he resigned his commission to become Bishop of the Lakewood Fourth Ward (California) in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.

TJ’s church service also included being an Early Morning Seminary teacher, many years as a Scoutmaster, a Sunday School and Priesthood teacher, many years as a ward clerk-executive secretary, Bishop of the Fruit Heights (Utah) 5th ward and counselor in the Fruit Heights Stake Presidency.  TJ also served as a city councilman for Fruit Heights.

As a father he loved to read bedtime stories to his many children, especially from the book, Animals You Will Never Forget.  Sometimes the children would have to wake TJ up to finish the story because he often read himself to sleep.  He also made up funny stories for them, using their names as the main characters.  Family vacations were most often camping trips, but he also taught his children to ski, garden, and play golf.

For all the years the children were home, TJ conducted daily family scripture study at 6 in the morning.  On warm summer days, the family would switch to strolling around the neighborhood while he walked backwards reading scriptures to them.

For the last 5 years, TJ and D’Ann have loved sharing early morning bicycle rides together.

He left us with many warm, happy memories and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 18, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Monte Vista Chapel, 3845 S. 2000 W., Roy, Utah.  Friends may visit family Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Saturday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 No. Fairfield Road, Layton, Utah.