Obituary
Another of the “Greatest Generation” has left us. Maurice Grant Jones, a resident of the Redlands area of Grand Junction passed away on February 11, 2018.
Maury was born on July 18, 1924 in Devils Slide, Utah to Ronald Maurice Jones and Edna Gerrard. He lived his life in Utah, California and Grand Junction, Colorado. He had two brothers and two sisters, David A. Jones who passed away in 1979, Charlotte who passed away in 1932, Wendell Jones (Esther) of Farmington, Utah and Carol Umphenour (Darryl) of Eagle Mountain, Utah.
Maury was a child of the depression and learned to work from his father. He was very close with his brother Dave and they spent many hours working and playing together. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and Korea, During World War II he served aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Saratoga using his skills as a mechanic, he served as one of those unsung heroes of the war keeping the airplanes flying. He was called back to active duty in the Navy during the Korean War and served in the Philippines at the Sangly Point Naval station.
On March 18, 1945 he married his sweetheart Eunice Elaine Smith with whom he shared the first 73 years of eternity. They were married in the Salt Lake City Latter-day Saint’s Temple and were blessed with 5 children, Michael (Marleen), Maureen Haddock (Jeff), Kelly, Kathleen Clark (Lanny) and Ronald. In addition to their five children, Maury and Eunice have more than fourteen grandchildren and more than 25 great grandchildren each of them a blessing promised to them.
Along with many of his generation, he sacrificed his young adult life to the war effort, a service that is appreciated and acknowledged by millions who don’t even know him. They shared the greatness often associated with the founding fathers because they personally and collectively converted life from the old into what was the start of the new. Changes during and after the war that they directly influenced provided for the wellbeing and prosperity of new generations. Returning to civilian life, starting a family, and providing food and shelter for their families fulfilled the most important calling and assignment any person can have, parenthood. Those of us who followed him have never been hungry, have never gone bare-footed nor have we worried about personal security or safety. Although Maury freely admitted to not being perfect he was a good man and his family knew that he loved them.
He had a 38 year career with United Airlines in Salt Lake City, Oakland and San Francisco but didn’t like to fly, he always said he traveled enough during the war. His career influenced others in his family and regardless of career choices his children all know how to work.
Maury and Eunice served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Oakland California Mission and served for many years in the Oakland Temple.
He did his best, a very strong compliment for any person and one his children and grand-children especially appreciate and love. “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”
Services will be held on Saturday February 17, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Monument Ward Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2235 Kingston Road in Grand Junction Colorado.
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