Tony Jones

Anthony “Tony” Patterson Jones, our loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend completed his mortal life’s work and returned to our Heavenly Father on Thursday, October 19, 2023 at the age of 62 years old due to a tragic accident sustained working on his beloved ranch in Morgan, Utah.

Tony was born January 14, 1961 to Curtis Ducloux and Bonnie Flint Jones. Tony was the fourth of six brothers who were known as the “Jones Boys'' around Morgan. This rowdy bunch of boys were incredibly hard working and a somewhat feisty group. They often loudly debated with each other, sometimes switching sides mid-argument. They were fiercely loyal to each other and their strong bond continued into their later years and was reaffirmed the evening Tony passed away as they rushed to be by his side.

Tony spent his early years in Layton, Utah on the Mountain Road. When he was seven, his family moved to Richville, Utah where they had a farm milking cows, raising beef cattle, and hay crops. Time spent on the Richville farm was some of his favorite childhood memories. Tony and his brothers spent many hours working hard and playing hard (causing trouble most of the time). Tony was competitive by nature and was alway trying to keep up with his older three brothers.

Throughout his youth, Tony loved playing football and was the football captain his senior year. He continued to love football throughout his life, coaching his son's little league team and was often seen at the high school football games. He loved to ride horses, whether it was just to get into the mountains, gather cattle, or go on backpack trips in the wilderness. He enjoyed hunting, spending time with his many friends, and loved the outdoors.

Tony met the love of his life, high school sweetheart, and best friend Tresa Hugie Jones, at the age of 16 and they have been inseparable ever since. They were married on April 2, 1980 and were sealed in the Bountiful Temple for time and all eternity on April 2, 2002. They spent their entire life together in Morgan and in 2006 finally built their dream home above their ranch. Many great family memories were made on their ranch and in their home.

Together, Tony and Tresa had four amazing children, Kami (Dean) Clark, Jacob (Anna Marie) Jones, Nicole (Glen) McMillan, and Amy (Lance) Tyrrell. Tony taught his children the importance of love and hard work. He was incredibly proud of his children and enjoyed spending time with them. He could be a quiet man and never shared his deep love for them with words, but his children knew. Tony had 12 grandchildren (Wyatt J, Lyndsy, Jordyn, Jailey, Brooklyn, Aly, Wyatt L, Sarah, Harper, Jacelynn, John and Noelle). These grandchildren were a source of great happiness for him in his life. He loved to tell them stories, play pranks, and always had a “Grandpa” joke. As the grandchildren grew older they returned the pranks and loved to tell Papa Tony a new joke.

Following his graduation from Morgan High School in 1979, he started a mink ranch at age 18 and attended Weber State University. He raised mink for 38 years. If you know Tony, you know he didn’t do things halfway. He took a lot of pride in raising top quality mink and was well respected within the mink ranching community, winning many awards. Tony mentored many youth who worked for him on the mink ranch. In addition to the mink ranch, Tony had many varied construction jobs throughout his life, working incredibly hard to provide for his family. After retiring from the mink business in 2016, he enjoyed slowing down a bit. He continued raising and breeding horses, cattle, and working in hay fields.

Tony had two great loves in life, his family and his horses. He knew a good horse and appreciated good bloodlines. He passed on his horse “addiction” to his children. Many of Tony’s horses can be found in fields around the county.

Tony was a man of few words to most, but he made friends everywhere he went. He always made time to talk to friends and neighbors and seemed to know everyone in Morgan.

Tony was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He had an unwavering testimony of Heavenly Father and his Savior Jesus Christ and taught many through his Christ-like example. Tony served in many callings in the church and was currently the First Counselor in the Bishopric. Tony loved the members of his ward family, he was always concerned for their needs and looked for ways to care for and serve them. He was often seen plowing snow in his big blue tractor from morning to evening on Highway 66.

In 2019, Tony and Tresa were able to serve a full time mission together in the Colorado Springs, Colorado Mission serving in a small branch in Limon, Colorado. They had many unique and wonderful experiences and loved the people they served.

Tony had a special gift and talent for knowing the needs of others and had a deeply understanding heart. These unique gifts and his willingness to follow promptings of the spirit allowed him to be an incredible blessing in the lives of others. He answered many silent prayers of those around him through his quiet willingness to serve.

He is survived by his wife, children, 12 grandchildren, father (Curtis Decloux Jones), and his five brothers Jeff (Julie) Jones, Charles (Kim) Jones, Curtis (Marci) Jones, Jim Lee (Patty) Jones, and Jonathon (Beverly) Jones.

He is preceded in death by his mother Bonnie Flint Jones.

Tony’s mortal life ended too soon. While we don’t understand why we didn’t have more time with him, we have immense gratitude for the time we shared and the many lessons he taught us. We try to take comfort in knowing this is just a small part of our eternal journey and we will see him again.

Services will be held Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at the LDS Porterville Church, 2700 S Morgan Valley Drive, Morgan, Utah. The visitation will be held from 9:00 -10:30 AM and the funeral service (celebration of life) following at 11:00 AM. Following the service, Tony will be laid to rest at the South Morgan Cemetery at 335 S State Street, Morgan, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, in memory of Tony, hug your loved ones, tell them you love them, and do something kind for someone.

The family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the family, friends, and Morgan first responders who arrived to help Tony. Thank you for all of the tremendous support and meals provided by the members of this great community.