Christopher H. Jones

HOOD RIVER - Christopher H. Jones died on the evening of Thursday, January 20th as a result of a plane accident. He was 34 years old. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, January 28, 2005 at 4:00 p.m. at Hood River Valley Christian Church. Chris was born on January 28, 1970 to his parents, Jan and Cheryl (Winchell) Jones in Escondido, Calif His family moved to Oregon when Chris was just a baby. He was the oldest of five children. Chris went to school in LaGrande, and finished his high school years in McMinnville. Chris was a champion wrestler and was awarded a full ride to the University of Oregon. He wrestled in Cuba as a member of the United States Wrestling Team. In February of 1996, Chris married Laurie Anderson Mooney. They lived in Hillsboro, later they moved to Salem and eventually resided in Hood River. Chris' passion was building. Even as a small child he was always taking things apart and then attempting to put them back together. He built tree forts with his brothers and sister. He started his first company, Son-Rise Enterprises, in the late 1980's. He focused on remodeling, decks, fences and whatever other work he could find. Chris never did anything half way. His passion for life was so contagious. He loved wakeboarding and snowboarding with his wife Laurie, and his children, Kim, Matt, Jeff and his friends. One of Chris' greatest joys was Saturday Duck games, "All Ducked Out" at Autzen Stadium, with his wife and children. He loved his place in Roatan, Honduras, where he would scuba dive and hang out with the locals. He celebrated weddings with his brothers, Jacques and Micah and traveled to San Diego to visit his brother, Ian and sister, Marieke and to celebrate the Super Bowl. Chris took advantage of every opportunity that came his way. Chris touched so many people with his warm smile, sparkling blue eyes and his "wink". He never had a bad word to say about anyone, and always saw the good in people. He truly cared for each and every person he knew. Chris will be remembered by everyone as an honest, good, loving, beautiful human being. Please find strength in knowing that Chris lived a very happy and full life. He did so many things in his short 34 years. He loved, he traveled, he experienced so much. In 1996 he started building homes in the Salem area. When given the opportunity to start his first subdivision in Hood River in 2000, he and his wife moved their business and family to the Hood River area, where he has been building ever since. Chris built over 100 homes in Hood River, was completing 18 town homes in Bend, and had a 22 lot subdivision in Wenatchee, Wash. He recently began a subdivision in Aumsville. Chris and his wife Laurie were very proud of their company which they renamed Son-Rise Development, Inc. in May of 2000. Chris is survived by his wife and soulmate, Laurie Jones; daughter Kimberly Mooney of Portland; sons and best friends, Matthew and Jeffrey Mooney of Beaverton; his parents, Jan Derk and Cheryl May Jones of Salem; brother and bestest friend, Ian Jones of San Diego, Calif.; sister, Marieke Jones of San Diego, Calif.; brothers, Jacques Jones of Salem, Micah Jones of Boise, Idaho; and Holly and Jackson his "puppy dogs". The family requests that memorial contributions in Chris' name be made to the Chris Jones/Son-Rise Memorial Fund c/o Anderson's Tribute Center 1401 Belmont Hood River, OR 97031.