Ryan Mason Jones

Ryan Mason Jones was born on June 23rd, 1983 at Fairfax Hospital in Virginia. Following a battle with neuroendocrine carcinoma, he died in his childhood home on May 13, 2024 surrounded by family. Ryan grew up in Fairfax County, Virginia attending Willow Springs, Sidney-Lanier, and Fairfax High School. After attending Radford University, where he was a member of the 2003 Division II National Champion Rugby Team, Ryan became a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. He notably achieved a WSET Level 3 Award in Wines and Spirits, joined the opening team at numerous fine dining restaurants in Virginia and DC, and was instrumental in achieving a Michelin Star. Ryan hosted countless wine tastings and classes, served many notable dignitaries including President and Mrs. Obama, but was at his best when welcoming family and friends and turning a simple dining experience into an extravaganza. Ryan was an outdoor enthusiast, skiing whenever possible, fishing and golfing with friends, wine tasting in Croatia, hiking the Camino in Spain, zip-lining in Costa Rica, and frequently volunteering for trail maintenance in the Shenandoah National Park as a life-time member of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. Ryan was a loving and devoted husband to Kitty, a beloved son and brother, and a loving uncle and friend. He leaves behind his wife Kathryn Roper; his parents Chris and Toni Jones; his mother-in-law Mary Roper; his sister Erin Lorenc; in-laws William Lorenc, Matt Roper, Dan Roper, Sara Roper, and Nadine Cipriani; nephews Miles, Bryce, Anthony and Everett; and a host of other aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, and friends across the country and around the world. Ryan was baptized, served as an alter boy, was confirmed and married at St. Clare of Assisi church in Clifton Virginia. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Clare on Thursday May 16 at 11:00am. All are welcome. Later the family will host a celebration of Ryan’s life on May 30 at The Wine House in Fairfax. Details of the celebration to follow. Flowers are welcome and donations may be made to The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club in Vienna, Virginia. For those who knew and loved Ryan, please raise a glass next time you visit one of his many restaurants and toast a life well lived and filled with love.