Charles Edward Jones

1935 - 2018

Charles Edward (Bud) Jones

Phoenix - Charles Edward (Bud) Jones, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, December 20, 2018, due to complications from a brain aneurysm. He was 83.

A man known for his integrity, intellect, and empathy, he lived a life of service to family, community, country and God, never wavering in his commitment to each.

Born June 12, 1935 in Lethbridge, Alberta Canada, Bud's father died when Bud was only four years old. He was raised by his widowed mother as an only child. During these years, he excelled in academics, athletics and music, becoming an accomplished scholar and pianist. During cold Canadian winters, he enjoyed playing ice hockey, basketball and was on a championship curling team. He spent several summers at the Banff Academy of Music, mastering the classics. Although he considered himself a true Arizonan, Canada always held a special place in his heart.

He attended Brigham Young University where he met the love of his life, Ann Anderson and began what became a 65-year love story that endures today. In 1953, he paused his academic studies to sail to France and serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There he spent 2 ½ years learning to speak French, while sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, and ministering to the people of Belgium, France, and Switzerland.

Upon his return, he reunited with his sweetheart, Ann, and they were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the LDS Mesa, Arizona Temple in 1958. Shortly after having their first child Bud graduated from BYU with honors, the family moved to Palo Alto, CA where Bud attended Stanford Law School. Following law school, a second child and a clerkship on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, Bud and Ann returned to Ann's native Arizona where Bud began a distinguished legal career at the law firm Jennings, Strouss, Salmon, and Trask. He practiced for 27 years while adding five more children to his full and happy life.

During the busy years of rearing a family and practicing law, Bud was also active in his church and community. Simultaneously, Bud was 'Avocat du Consulat-General de France" (Lawyer of the Cousulate General of France) to the French Consulate in San Francisco. In addition to supporting his family in their many activities, he served as a Bishop and Stake President in the Scottsdale Camelback Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Bud developed deep and lasting friendships with the men and women with whom he faithfully served. He touched countless lives and in turn, felt blessed by the opportunity to lift others who might have needed kindness, inclusion or simply a friend and wise advisor.

In 1990, a call came from his church to return to France. He, Ann and their two youngest daughters moved to Paris for three years where Bud served as the mission president of the France, Paris Mission for the church. This marvelous opportunity was one of the most treasured of his life as he ministered to and mentored hundreds of missionaries.

Upon his return home, Bud resumed his law practice, but only for a short season as he was appointed to the Arizona Supreme Court in 1996 where he served as Associate, Vice Chief, and Chief Justice of the court. While on the state supreme court, he forged wonderful relationships with outstanding colleagues from all political persuasions, with whom he remained friends until the end of his life.

Upon retirement from the court in 2005, Bud and Ann together served two more full-time assignments for their church; the first for three years in the Mesa, Arizona Temple Presidency followed by 18 months as church representatives at the United Nations in New York City. While at the United Nations, Bud and Ann worked with leaders from many countries on issues such as human rights, humanitarian aid and religious freedom.

While Bud never sought accolades or praise, he received numerous honors which include: The Alumni Distinguished Service Award from BYU; The Feuerstein Award for Ethics in Industrial Relations; The University of Arizona Public Service Award; The State Bar of Arizona Career Achievement Award; The Arizona League of Women Voters "Chapman Award" for defense of an independent judiciary; The Lethbridge Collegiate Institute Distinguished Achievement Award; The Arizona Interfaith Movement Golden Rule "Government" Award; and listed in the Best Lawyers in America from 1983-1996. He served on the J. Reuben Clark Law School and University of Arizona Law School Boards of Visitors and was also The National Chair J. Reuben Clark Law Society.

After his retirement he remained active in the Arizona legal community working as a mediator and arbitrator. He enjoyed receiving letters from the recipients of the Charles E. Jones Scholarship funds, at both ASU and BYU Law Schools. He also enjoyed teaching as an adjunct professor at Arizona State University. His final expression of appreciation for Arizona came as he gave 4 years of volunteer service, acting as Co-Chair of The Arizona 2012 Centennial Celebration.

He believed his greatest accomplishment, however, was his family. He and his beloved Ann, enjoyed gathering all 62 family member together for holidays, family vacations and other events. While gathered, Bud frequently took the opportunity to remind them to be grateful to God for the countless blessings that had been bestowed upon each person. He loved spending time with each child and grandchild, and was invested in their lives, educations and dreams. Every family member knew they were loved and valued by this thoughtful, wise patriarch. While he will be greatly missed by his family, his example and influence will certainly continue.

Bud is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ann, Children, Elizabeth (Jeffrey) Adams, Ruth (Bryan) Todd, Charles (Ruth) Jones, David (Julie) Jones, Melissa (Cameron) Darby, Rebecca (David) Young, Catherine (John) Faust, 31 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 3rd at the Arcadia LDS chapel, 4225 N. 56th St., Phoenix, AZ, at 11:00 a.m. A viewing and visitation will be held at the same location on Wednesday, January 2nd from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.