Robert Byron Jones

1926 ~ 2019

Robert Byron Jones
Loved by all

February, 1926 – January, 2019

Robert Byron (Bob) Jones was born on February 28, 1926 in Provo, Utah to Byron David Jones and Jessco Whitehead.
He spent most of his youth in Beaver, Utah and Park City, Utah. At the age of thirteen, he became an Eagle Scout along with his cousin Bill Farnsworth. They were the first in Beaver County to earn their Eagle Scout awards. He graduated from Park City High where he was the valedictorian of his class. Even though he graduated from Park City High, he was considered an alum of both Beaver and Park City High Schools.

In 1944 he enlisted in the U S Navy. He was stationed at Arizona State Teachers College in Flagstaff, AZ and later at the USNPFS at St. Mary’s College in California where he began his pre-flight training to become a Navy pilot. When World War II ended he was released from active duty. Following his military service, he attended the University of Utah.

Bob married Alpha Johnson from Park City. From that union they had three wonderful sons, Dane Robert, Cary Dee and Tad Leroy. He was so proud of his sons and took great joy from their accomplishments. He especially loved that they are good husbands and fathers and successful in their chosen careers. Bob and Alpha later divorced.

Bob married Elaine Spens in 1981. Bob became a wonderful step-father to her children Wayne, Julie, Steven and David. He was a strong influence in their lives and gave freely of his love to them and their families. They all had a great love and respect for him.

After he was in the Navy, he worked for the Utah State Road Commission, United Park City Mines and the Pacific Bridge and Iron Company. In 1951 he went to work for Bush and Gudgell (B&G) in Salt Lake City as a surveyor. He went on to serve as both president and chairman of the board of the company. He retired from B&G at the age of 80 after 55 years of dedicated service to his company. During his career at B&G, he mentored countless employees and was a friend willing to help in whatever way he could.

In 1960 he was presented with a “Founders Award” for influence and dedication to the surveying profession by establishing the Utah Council of Land Surveyors. Throughout his career, he was instrumental in laying out much of the Salt Lake Valley and many communities throughout the state of Utah. In addition to being a licensed surveyor in Utah, he was licensed in Wyoming, Nevada, Idaho, and Arizona. Under his supervision, many thousands of acres of land in the Intermountain West were subdivided. He computed and surveyed more than 20,000 privately owned parcels. He spent many hours mediating survey problems for attorneys and courts and provided expert testimony in many cases. In 1998 he was the recipient of the first ‘Surveyor of the Year’ award given by the Utah Council of Land Surveyors (UCLS).

Bob had a great love for music, fostered by his father who directed the band in Park City for many years. He was an accomplished trumpet player and played in several dance bands, including the Stardust Serenaders.

He enjoyed all kinds of sports! He was a good tennis player and an excellent bowler. He served as president of the Salt Lake City Men’s Bowling Association and in 2003 he was inducted into the Salt Lake City Bowling Association Hall of Fame. He was also a fine skier and golfer. He was most proud of the hole in one he scored on the Valley View golf course. He also loved boating, water skiing and fishing and traveling in his motorhome. During his retirement years, if he wasn’t participating in an activity, he was watching it on TV. He especially loved watching golf and football. In recent years, you could usually find him in the TV room watching his favorite sporting events. He was a lifetime member of the Park City Elks Lodge and for a short time he was also a member of the Salt Lake City Exchange Club. When it came to things needing repair, he worked at it, but what do you say about a guy who considered duct-tape as the fix-all solution for most things? But truly, thank heavens for the professionals!

One of his redeeming qualities was his promptness. He was never late for anything and considered being 15 minutes early as being on time. If he was 30 minutes early, he was a happy man. If you attend his funeral, please be on time because I’m sure he will haunt you forever if you arrive late! Please don’t forget his 15 minute rule!

Bob lived a full and happy life. He was kind to everyone and took great joy in being a friend, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and husband. He loved and nurtured all of his family. Friends, associates and family held him in the highest esteem. He was a very successful businessman but will be remembered most by all who knew him as being one of the kindest, gentlest men they had ever known. A greater compliment could not be given. He was a man who was loved and respected by so many! His mantra was kindness. Whenever he would see someone he knew, he always referred to them as a friend. He will truly be missed. His absence will leave a void in the hearts of all who love him.

He is survived by Elaine, his wife of 38 years, sons Dane (Susan), Cary (Kris) and Tad (Michelle), step children Wayne (Tami) Spens, Julie (Mike) Koenig and David Spens, sister Kathy (Harry) Price, brother Wade (Judy) Jones, 18 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, step-mother Margaret Jones, step-father John Smith, step-son Steven Spens and his sister Janet Greensides.

A viewing will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 19, at the Hillcrest 5th LDS Ward, 915 East 9045 South, Sandy, Utah 84094. Service follows at 11:00 a.m.