Raymond Charles Jones

Raymond Charles Jones, 76, of Springville, Utah passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026, surrounded by his family, due to complications from stomach cancer. He was born May 12, 1949, in Hillsboro, Oregon to John Hamlin Jones and Gladys Corrine Alderson. Ray spent his childhood in Oklahoma, Oregon, and California—raised by parents, grandparents, and extended family who did their very best to take care of each other through the many challenges of life. Ray loved his family.

At age 17, he chose to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, changing the spiritual trajectory of his life for good and forever. Following Ray’s baptism, his final family move took him to Oakdale, California where he graduated from high school. He then left home to serve the Lord full-time in the Uruguay-Paraguay Mission. With the sacred support of his ward family and fellow missionaries, he served faithfully and forged a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ that he would never forsake. Ray loved his Heavenly Father and his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Upon returning home from his mission, Ray met his eternal companion, Catherine Marie Bruce, and he was sealed to her in the Oakland, California Temple on August 30, 1974. With Cathy, Ray made sacred covenants, and of all his accomplishments in life, nothing compares to the miraculous establishment of his successful marriage and family. Ray loved his wife, children, and grandchildren with his whole heart.

Ray fully embraced his sacred responsibility to provide the necessities of life for his family. From bailing hay to driving truck to running the mill, Ray developed a remarkable work ethic in early adulthood. He ultimately launched a fruitful career in the grocery business in Modesto, California, and he never took a day of work for granted. Ray’s final career move took him to Simi Valley, California where he worked as an executive at Vallarta Supermarkets—a family-owned business led by remarkable people who treated him like one of their own. Ray loved his friends and colleagues at work.

A devoted disciple, Ray, found great joy serving others in his family, at church, and in the community. With a witty remark, wry smile, quick wink, and raised eyebrow, Ray had a spiritual gift for truly seeing others and helping them feel the Savior’s love—always remembering his humble roots and seeking out those in need. He was blessed with exceedingly great faith. His consecrated service as a seminary teacher, counselor, bishop, Storehouse missionary, and ordinance worker also connected him to wonderful mentors and cherished friends. Ray loved his friends and fellow Saints.

Ray was raised primarily by his parents, John and Eva Dean, as well as by grandparents and extended family. In young adulthood, Ray found his birth mother, Gladys, who introduced him to new extended family members. Each side of his family greatly elevated Ray’s life, and he immensely valued every relationship.

He is survived by his wife, Cathy, and their children: Russ (Jenni) Jones of Las Vegas, Nevada; Gwen (Rich) Osguthorpe of Provo, Utah; Jennifer (Morgan) Yost of Delta, Colorado; Katie (Roy) Willardson of Mapleton, Utah; and Trevor (Amy) Jones of Cookeville, Tennessee. He is also survived by his fourteen grandchildren and his siblings Dena Hall, Rocky Jones, Sherri Carpenter, Kathy Hawkins, Kay Gleckler, and Mike Kludjian.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents John Hamlin Jones and Eva Dean Frost and Gladys Kludjian; and also by his siblings Aleta Jones, Robert Jones, Randy Jones, and Jack Moore.

An evening viewing will be held on Friday, February 6th from 6-8 pm at Wheeler-Sundberg Funeral Home, 211 East 200 South, Springville. Funeral services will be Saturday, February 7th at 11:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel, 1965 East Canyon Road, Springville, with a viewing held that morning from 9:30-10:30 am at the church prior to the services. Interment will be in the Springville Historic Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.

For those unable to attend the services in person, you may view the Livestream HERE