Ralph Hazelton Jones' Obituary
Ralph Hazelton Jones, 81 was born on November 3, 1938 in Atlantic City, NJ. He passed away on April 2, 2020 near his home in Roy Utah. My father lived as a child in Strathmere, NJ until his father and mother moved the family to Pitman, NJ. He graduated from Pitman High School in 1959. He was well liked and known by his fellow classmates and kept in contact with many of them until his death. My fathers' friends were very important to him and he made so many of them from high school to the military until his final home in Utah. On July 17, 1959 he joined the United States Air Force right after high school. He did a tour in Thailand during the Vietnam War where he served in the military for 23 years as a Parachute Rigger and as a Fabrication and Parachute Supervisor. He ended his career in Utah in June of 1982. He was very proud of his life in the Air Force and serving his country earning many medals and decorations for his service.
Ralph was an avid if not obsessed collector of Baseball memorabilia the Boston Red Sox being his favorite team. He had a passion for Whales we always wondered if he was going to leave everything to the Whales or to the Baseball Hall of Fame!! One of his other passions was umpiring baseball, softball and volleyball for almost 30 years. He really enjoyed interacting with the players. Ralph also did Volkwalks which in German means "a people's walk” he loved to walk. One of his other passions was giving to the children at the Primary Children's Hospital…be it taking them candy, cookies,toys, baseball cards and magazine’s. He was a very giving and caring person. Ralph loved to travel and one of his favorite places was Hawaii. If he could he would have lived there. He also loved to take trips to his favorite places, Mirror Lake and the Salt Flats. Driving up to Idaho to get that winning ticket was something that he liked to do with his friend. He would always say I think I have a winner I need to drive back to Idaho to see if I won!!
Ralph is survived by his daughter Laurie Ann, his brother George Wilson Jones and wife Patricia Egan Jones of Barrington, NJ. His grandchildren Michael, (Katie) of Irving TX, Christopher ( Xochiquetzal) of Upper Deerfield, NJ, Kimberlee and her daughters Gianna and Mia his great granddaughters of Upper Deerfield, NJ. Also survived by many nieces and nephews, and his Sister in Law Eileen Jones Predeceased by his mother and father Geroge Wilson Jones, Mary Carothers Jones and his brother William Jones also his beloved Uncle Ted his mother’s brother.
Ralph will be greatly missed by his many, many friends and loved ones!
Thank you to all who loved my Dad and valued his friendship…I know he felt the same way for all of you
Due to the concerns of what is going on in this country we will be celebrating Ralph's life at a later date in Utah.
Donations can be made in Ralph's name to the Primary Children's Hospital , 100 N. Mario Capecchi Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84113, The American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or the American Diabetes Association, 2451 Crystal Drive, Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22202.
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