Lehi Kerry Jones

Lehi Kerry Jones

Cedar City - Lehi Kerry Jones, husband, father, grandfather, friend, patriot, devoted disciple passed away July 19, 2021 at age 91. Kerry was a victim of the Covid-19 Delta Variant and Pneumonia. He was the third child and oldest son of Lehi Milton Jones and Bernella Elizabeth Gardner Jones. Kerry was born in Cedar City, Utah on October 29, 1929, also known as Black Tuesday. It was the same day as the infamous Wall Street crash that began the Great Depression. He liked to say his birth was the real cause of the crash. In truth, Kerry had a bright mind and a true gift for understanding economics and government. After attending public schools in Cedar City, Kerry enrolled in the Branch Agricultural College (BAC) from which he graduated in 1949. He then continued his education at the University of Utah and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Finance. His keen understanding of the subject lead one professor to ask that he drop out of the class. Kerry's grasp of material was greater than that of the instructor and had become an embarrassment to his teacher. Following his graduation from the U. of U. in 1951, he was inducted into the United States Army. He received training at Fort Lewis and Camp Roberts where he was placed in a Leadership Course before being sent to ChunChon, Korea. There he was made Company Clerk. Sergeant Kerry Jones was discharged in 1953 and returned home to Cedar City. The following year he purchased Jones Equipment Company from his father and expanded the business in 1961 with the purchase of Southwest Distributing. He operated the company under the name Jones Equipment and Southwestern Distributing until its sale in 1975.

Kerry married Carol Ann Parry in 1956. To this union were born three children: Julie Ann, Kirk Parry and Mark Lehi. He liked to relate stories of the kids' growing up years and he was a devoted father. The marriage ended in divorce. In 1973, Kerry was elected Mayor of Cedar City. At what he referred to as a raucous city animal control meeting in early 1974, Kerry met Mrs. Sue Jensen, a woman who had come to fight city hall over what she thought was unfair treatment of dogs. In 1979, Kerry became Chairman of the Iron County Republican Party with Sue Jensen as Vice-Chairman. By this time both Kerry and Sue were divorced and their personal relationship began. Lehi Kerry Jones and Barbara Sue Scalf were married in the St. George Temple on June 24, 1982, later sealed together in the Salt Lake Temple. In that same year, Kerry was installed as a member of the Board of Directors for State Bank of Southern Utah. Chosen by the Board to be bank president in 1984, he assumed that role at the time an FDIC/State audit with a Cease & Desist Order was impending. Through great effort and skill on the part of Kerry and the Board of Directors, the crisis was handled and State Bank of Southern Utah was back on a strong footing. Through the rest of his life, he felt a great sense of dedication to the welfare of the bank and its shareholders.

Kerry was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many ward and stake capacities. He and Sue were Ordinance Workers in the St. George Temple for more than ten years. They also served in the Cedar City Temple until the covid-19 pandemic required it to close. He served in the University First Stake with two Stake Presidencies. At the time of his death, he was giving devoted service as Stake Historian in the Cedar City West Stake. Kerry had a deep love and devotion for Jesus Christ. He was a man of great compassion. Although his hard work and ingenuity provided a comfortable life for himself and Sue, he was in many respects a simple, humble, good man who loved his family and devoted his life to making the world a better place. He was strongly conservative in his political and economic dealings yet he always treated others with fairness and respect. Somehow, ninety-one years seems too short a time for this special man.

Kerry is survived by his eternal sweetheart Sue and his children, Julie Ann Groo (Donny Cook) of Tacoma, WA; Kirk Parry (Becca) Jones of Cedar City, Mark Lehi (Lisa) Jones of Atlanta, GA and step-daughter Julie Jensen Hernandez (David Houchins) of Cedar City. Siblings, Joan Woodbury and Kenneth Jones also survive. He leaves 20 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lehi and Bernella Jones, sisters Marolyn Siddoway and Cynthia Line, and brother Jackson Jones, stepsons Steven (Barbara) Jensen, and Daniel Jensen.

Kerry would not wish anyone else to endure what Covid-19 caused him to bear. In respect for him, those attending the visitations and funeral will be asked to wear masks. For the benefit of all who cannot or choose not to wear mouth and nose coverings, the service will be offered via Zoom. He would wish us to hear his last plea: that all may live with integrity, honor this great nation as he did and love the Lord with all your heart.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 12:00 pm at Cedar 9th Ward (256 S. 900 W.). Visitations on Friday, July 30, 2021 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, at Southern Utah Mortuary (190 N. 300 S.) and Saturday from 10:30 - 11:30 am, at the church. Online condolences can be sent at www.sumortuary.com.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/98102788736. ID:981 0278