Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Charles Alma Jones, quietly and peacefully graduated from this life on Friday, September 7, 2018, surrounded by family.
He was born February 22, 1930 in Heber, Utah, to Josephine Savage and ElRoy Smith Jones. As a child of the great depression, he was raised without excess and struggles were a daily way of life. He was happy in his youth and learned to prosper in his adversity through service and hard work.
Alma became a quiet man of noble dignity who found service in every footstep. The simple pleasures of being in nature brought him inner peace and joy. You could see his eyes light up as he was telling stories of hunting and fishing in his beloved Rocky Mountains.
His life-long dream to serve the Lord and bring the Gospel to the world was finally realized in 1950. Called to the Swiss-Austrian Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he happily served 2 Ω years having to learn the German language as he taught the Gospel to the Swiss people. He was afforded that honor again with his dear wife Raya in 1992, when they were called to the Canada Vancouver Mission as senior missionaries. They worked with the members and helped many people with their Family History.
Profoundly patriotic, Alma was called to serve his country. He was in charge of a radar unit with Nike missiles in New Jersey protecting the New York area. He watched the skies to guard against those who would threaten his family, his home, and his country. He often liked to fly the flag at his home..
His greatest service was within the walls of his own home. Shortly after returning from his mission in Switzerland, he was sealed to his eternal companion, Raya Madsen, in the Salt Lake Temple. Together they raised five children. His goal was an eternal family and his love can be seen in the eyes of his children, teaching them to love the Lord and one another. He taught them the value of education, a tradition that extends to his grandchildren. He earned a bachelor's degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Utah.
Alma began his work career as a Senior Clerk with Standard Oil Company. He was a Field Representative for the American Cancer Society and spent the bulk of his career as a Financial Manager with several research organizations. He ended his career operating a successful advertising business of his own.
From his early youth, his appreciation of the miracle of growing plants from seeds was a service to all who knew him. A man of vision, Alma, as Stake President turned an unused piece of farmland into the Sandy Utah Central Stake welfare farm that fed thousands. The name was later changed but not the purpose. A model used by many to benefit and serve countless others, he truly fed the multitudes.
Hours only counted by angels were spent fulfilling every calling he was given. Years devoted in bishoprics, as a bishop, a stake president, a temple worker, and a temple sealer. Many families call him blessed because of the life he lived which allowed him to seal them as families in the temple. Innumerable children, yet to be born, will thank him for his temple service. He served almost 12 years in the Jordan River Temple. As a sealer he was able to seal most of his grandchildren in various temples throughout the West.
We have all been greatly influenced by Alma's example. His spirit and life of service show us the path to walk. We have all been blessed just to know this great and humble man and we are grateful for that association.
The family would like to offer special thanks to all the kind caregivers from Symbii Home Health and Hospice who so lovingly cared for Alma during his last month of life. Also, many acts of service have been provided by friends of the family, and no words are adequate to express our gratitude.
Alma is survived by his eternal companion, Raya, their children Brian (Lee), Sue Bailey (Doug), Larry (Barbara), Kathy Prestwich (Mike), Julie, 16 grandchildren, and 42 great grandchildren. Preceded in death by a granddaughter, Rachel.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 11am in the Bellview Ward Chapel, 1050 Galena Drive, Sandy. Friends and family may call Wednesday evening from 6-8pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy. Additional viewing will be Thursday morning at 9:30am prior to funeral services. Interment at the Larkin Sunset Gardens.
