Ronald Shill Jones, 74, formerly of American Fork then Cedar Hills, Utah returned to his Heavenly Home very unexpectedly from Highland Glen Senior Living in Highland, Utah on Saturday, April 9, 2022. His reunion with his parents and brother, Kenneth Oscar Jones brings happiness to our souls.

Ron grew up in Salt Lake City with his parents, Oscar Cecil Jones and Zentha Wood Jones, older sister Colene and brother Ken. After high school, he received a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Brigham Young University in 1972, a Masters in Family Counseling from Utah State University in 1973, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Sarasota in Florida in 1977.

Ron served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southern Far East Mission which included Hong Kong and the Philippines. When he returned home, he found his eternal sweetheart, Marylin Merrell from Delta, Utah while pursuing her nursing degree.They were married in the Salt Lake Temple February 7, 1972, and recently celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

His career as a college professor included teaching social psychology and he served as an administrator for 4H and Extension programs in multiple states. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he served as the branch president in many of the cities where they lived, but his favorite calling was working in the nursery. He was a Temple worker in the San Antonio, Texas Temple.

Ron was never one to stay in one place very long. He moved his family to Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, New York, and Maine. When he retired he and Mary moved to Austin, Texas to enjoy the warmth of the sun and daughter, Heather, and 2 grandsons. 10 years later, Ron and Mary moved back to Utah to live close to their daughter, Jeralyn, and husband Lon, and their 5 children.

Ron enjoyed photography, biking, canoeing, cross country skiing, and spending time with his grandchildren and granddogs.

Ron has lived with Type 1 diabetes since 1969, and one of his proudest accomplishments was the establishment of Auxoman, a low cost clinic with Methodist Healthcare Ministries in Austin, Texas to help patients with endocrine disorders, including diabetes.

Ron is survived by his loving wife, Mary, and 2 daughters, Jeralyn (Lon) Franson of Pleasant Grove, Utah, and Heather Jones Holmes of Austin, Texas, 7 grandchildren; Alex, Kathy, William, Ella, and Penny Franson, and Ian and Colton Holmes. His sister, Colene, and husband, Claire Thompson of West Jordan, Utah, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends all over the United States.

At Ron’s request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. He donated his body to the University of Utah Medical Research Department in hopes that his contribution would advance scientific discovery and make a difference in the lives of others.

The family would like to express appreciation for the compassionate care given to Ron at Stonehenge Rehabilitation in American Fork after he broke his leg and Highland Glen Senior Living in Highland, Utah where he resided the last 3 weeks.