My Grand-dad

I found out today that my granddad passed away yesterday.  We were expecting his passing, but it never makes it easier knowing that you'll not see that person for awhile.  I've lost 3 of my grandparents, and the only thing I regret is not calling and speaking with them more.  

Fredrick Parley Jones, 1927 - 2009

 

Fredrick Parley Jones passed away peacefully on March 25, 2009 in Denver, Colorado at the age of 81. His funeral will be held on April 2, 2009 at 2:00pm in the LDS Chapel at East Yale Avenue and Monaco Parkway in Aurora, Colorado. Viewings will take place on April 1, 2009 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Horan & McConaty funeral home at 11150 East Dartmouth Avenue (at Parker Road), in Aurora, Colorado and on April 2, 2009 at 1:00pm in the Yale and Monaco chapel. Fred, a veteran who served in the Army Air Force at the conclusion of World War II, will be laid to rest with military honors on April 3, 2009 at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

 

Fred was born on April 21, 1927 in Virden, New Mexico, the oldest son of Parley Penrose Jones and Lillian Dorothy Mortensen Jones. He is survived by four siblings: Marvin Lee Jones, Lillian Richins, Delwin Grant Jones, and Chester Reed Jones. Another brother, Harry Lavern Jones, died in infancy.

 

Fred married Mary Moore in the Salt Lake Temple on April 4, 1951. At the time of his death, they had already spent almost 58 years in a marriage sealed by eternal covenants and God’s power to last through all eternity. Fred and Mary have nine children, all of whom survive him: Fredrick Wendell Jones, Larry Reed Jones, HaroldClive Jones, Clifford Parley Jones, LeeAnn Whetten, Louise Jones, Nanette Clarke, Leonard William Jones, and Robert David Jones. All six sons are Eagle Scouts. The six sons and Louise have served full-time missions for the Church. All of the married children were married in the temple for time and all eternity. All of the children are active in the Church. Fred is also survived by 49 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.

 

Always an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Fred served a mission to the Central States Mission from 1947 to 1949. Since then, he has held various callings in the Church, including Scoutmaster, Aaronic Priesthood advisor, Sunday School teacher, MIA teacher, MIA president, counselor in an Elders Quorum presidency, Stake High Council member, a president of a Stake Seventies Quorum, Branch President, counselor and executive secretary to a Bishop, Stake Patriarch in three stakes, temple ordinance worker, and temple sealer.  He has always been interested in telling and preserving the stories of his ancestors. After retirement, Fred and Mary were instrumental in compiling a family history over 1,700 pages in length entitled Peder and Helena Sandersen Mortensen Family, which was published on CD. Fred’s family research has resulted in the submission of hundreds of names for temple ordinance work.

 

He always saw himself as a “dirt farmer.” He earned a BS degree in agricultural economics from Brigham Young University and over the years he was involved in the management of agricultural enterprises in New Mexico, Vermont, Texas, California and Arizona. In addition, his career included work as an insurance salesman, real estate agent, and bank manager.