Thomas Kay Jones

Thomas Kay Jones, 48, of Yuma, AZ, passed from this earthly life June 9, 2017 in Yuma,

AZ after a short but courageous battle with cancer.  Tom was born December 10, 1968 in Whittier, CA to L. Corry and Marilyn Jones.  He was an active and loving son and brother who loved sports and enjoyed hiking among the many archaeological sites of the western desert.  He was an avid basketball fan and as a child spent many a winter night huddled under his blankets after his parents thought he was asleep cheering on his beloved Golden State Warriors.   He was a standout high school basketball player and a member of the golf team at Minidoka County High School in Rupert, Idaho.  He loved growing up on the Idaho Youth Ranch, where his father was the Ranch Director.  Tom was extremely well-read and reveled in trivia of all types—especially sports trivia.  He could name the mascot of every college team in America, including the most obscure.  He loved to laugh, and he especially enjoyed telling a story.  He wrote poetry, and he published a book, “Down the Mineshaft: A Quartzsite Mystery” in 2015.

Tom married the love of his life, Heidi Kathleen Harding on June 30, 2001 in the Las Vegas Nevada Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Tom and Heidi were adventurous and dedicated travelers.  They spent many an enjoyable day searching out and photographing unique buildings and lighthouses.  Tom and Heidi’s children are

Sydney Lauren (Jacob) Fryer, Riley Kathryn Jones, Brady Thomas Jones, and Malorie (Nate) Nelson.  Grandchildren are Olivia Grace Fryer and Carolyne Jane Nelson.

Tom worked for the Bureau of Land Management.  He was a respected Archaeologist who relished the history and mystery of archaeology.  He loved to excavate ancient sites and appreciated the people who came before him.  Tom was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a two year mission to Paraguay.  He served in many church positions, but his favorite was working with the youth. 

Tom is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings David (Angie), Jennifer (Brant), John (Jessica) and Jana (Jared), and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews and in-laws.

Viewing will be Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at Yuma Mortuary 775 S. 5th Ave, Yuma, AZ from 6-8 pm.  Funeral Services will be Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Foothills Ward Building at 8451 East, 36th Street, Yuma, AZ at 11 am with a viewing at 10am.  Burial will be at the Tonaquint Cemetery at 175 E. 200 N.  St. George, UT on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 10 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s memory for his children’s college can be sent to the following address: Morgan Stanley c/o Andy Murphy 12505 Park Potomac Ave. Suite 200, Potomac, MD 20854.  Checks should be made payable to Morgan Stanley.  Please list Education fund for Riley and Brady Jones in the memo line. The family would like to thank the nurses and CNAs at Yuma Regional Medical Center, Tower Three, for their loving care and compassion during Tom’s lengthy stays.

Arrangements under the direction of Yuma Mortuary and Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah

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