Gene L. Jones, age 95, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2017, in Sandy Utah from complications incident to old age. His wife, Sue, was at his side.
Gene was born December 16, 1921 in Salt Lake City, the youngest child of William Arthur and Elizabeth Jones. Gene spent his early childhood in Salt Lake City and also in Soldier's Summit Utah. He and his mother moved to Wendover Utah when he was twelve years old. Elizabeth worked as a waitress at the State Line Hotel. Gene soon secured employment there as well, working for Mr. Smith at the service station. Gene often told the story of being fired by Mr. Smith for being five minutes late for work. Luckily, he was rehired after a time. He attended high school in Tooele and Grantsville and graduated from Grantsville High School in 1941. He served in the Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theatre from 1942 to 1945. After the war, he returned to Wendover and his job at the State Line and worked there continuously until his retirement in 1991. Gene enjoyed his work at the State Line, and was well known for his integrity and his concern and appreciation for the employees who worked under his direction. His word was better than a written contract. He eventually rose to the position of General Manager, CEO, and part owner.
Gene married his high school sweetheart, Leah Margaret Green, in 1946. They had five children together. They later divorced and he subsequently married Beverly Burton (later divorced). Hatsue and her daughter Lisa came into his life and family thirty-seven years ago. Gene and Sue have been married now for thirty-two years.
Gene enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing fast pitch softball on the Salt Flats, flying his airplane, riding horses, and being actively involved in his children's activities. He was instrumental in starting Little League Baseball in Wendover. He was very proud of his ranch property in Montana, a place where he could relax and enjoy the association of friends and family. He also supported many community, church and school activities, both personally and through his business interests.
The family wishes to give special thanks to the patient and loving attention afforded Gene by the caregivers at Sunrise at Sandy Senior Living facility and his nurses from Millcreek Hospice Home Care. His wife, Sue, cared for Gene tirelessly in his later years, when "just day to day living was a lot of work".
Gene is survived by his wife, Hatsue (Sue); his six children, Brent (Nancy), Bary (Kim), Marilyn, Jolene (LeGrand), Becky (Brad) and Lisa (Daniel), twenty-three grandchildren and twenty-nine great grandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, older sister, Wilma, and three older brothers, Ralph, Emmett and Walter.
Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon on Friday, February 24th at Larkin Sunset Gardens Mortuary, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) in Sandy Utah. A viewing will be held at 11 AM. Interment will follow at Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery. A memorial service for Gene will be held the following day, Saturday, February 25th at 11 AM at the SMSgt John T Brinkman Service Club, the restored and renovated original Officer's Club, located on the old Wendover Air Force Base. A light lunch will be served.
During his retirement years, Gene became an avid animal lover and especially enjoyed the company of a black miniature schnauzer named Cricket, an ill-behaved, temperamental, ornery creature that only Gene loved! Instead of flowers, you may donate to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab Utah, or the Ivins Animal Shelter, both of which are no-kill facilities.
Gene will be greatly missed by all of his family, but we are grateful he is no longer suffering from the frailties of his mortal body.
