Connor Jeffrey Jones

1993 - 2021

Connor Jeffrey Jones
May 3, 1993 - August 9, 2021
Tacoma, Washington - It is with sadness beyond words we share the news that our beautiful boy, Connor Jeffrey Jones, left us unexpectedly on August 9, 2021. Though our hearts are broken, we hope he is hiking a beautiful trail in the mountains, 4-wheelin his jeep in the snow, and driving his boat through smooth waters.
Connor was born May 3, 1993. He grew up in Gig Harbor and went to school at Discovery Elementary, Harbor Ridge Middle School and Gig Harbor High School class of 2011. As an ingenious little boy, Connor loved building things with wood…a little sail boat, castles, scroll saw cutouts for family and friends, and later tree forts with his cousins. He loved Legos, stories about the Titanic, his Koala beanie baby named Mel, and his dog Kodiak. He started drawing floor plans in kindergarten, and always dreamed of being an architect. In middle school and high school, he ran cross country, played electric guitar and loved listening to ACDC. Habitat for Humanity was his senior project choice, because he could hammer nails and build something to help others. He joined cub scouts because of his passion for camping and hiking, and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. His Eagle Scout project was establishing an Adopt-a-Road in Gig Harbor.
Connor worked hard to earn his Bachelor's degree in Architecture at the University of Idaho, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He was very proud when he was accepted to the Master of Architecture program at the University of Washington. His thesis, "Cathedrals of Power: Re-energizing Historic Power Systems" was a proposal for preserving and adapting north Tacoma's historic Cushman Substation to a neighborhood park and community center. After six years and one quarter of very hard work (and many architect school all-nighters!) he had progressed his dream of working for an architect firm. Once he graduated, he was excited to begin his career for the Seattle architect firm CollinsWoerman, where he had also interned. Whether collaborating on projects, camping at Lake Ozette or Ross Lake, playing kickball, or running Ragnar, he appreciated his CW family so much. He was most recently working on a 7-story residential project near Green Lake where he was pivotal in the early design, permitting process and 3-D modeling/drawings. He enjoyed it so much!!
Connor loved hiking and boating. We will cherish our recent trips with him to the San Juan Islands, Zion and Joshua Tree National parks. Together we scoped and photographed many famous architectural homes in the LA area. He enjoyed barbequing (perfecting a Frisco Freeze burger for his Grandpa's 86th birthday) and hanging out with friends around a campfire. He channeled James Bond style and always made friends and family laugh when he'd throw out a line from an Austin Powers movie.
Connor was our incredible son, cool brother, thoughtful grandson, sweet nephew and fun cousin. He will live on in the hearts of his parents Traci and Terry Splane and Jeff and Alison Jones, his sister Alex Jones and his bonus siblings, Michael and Sarah Schwartz, Brandon and Sarah Splane and Cody Splane. Connor is treasured beyond words by his grandparents Ron and Sharon Christensen, Autumn and Ron Oberhansli, Bob and Donna Jones, and Joyce Weiss. He is loved forever by his aunties and uncles, Lisa and Brian Groeneveld, Debbie and George Ratcliffe, Julie and Sean Ghidella, Kim and Mike Diaz, Ron Oberhansli Jr, Ryan Jones and Dawn Overbeck. His cousins Michael, Joel, Cole, Reese, Jensen, Bri, Jake, Kegan, Mckenzie, Katelyn, Zach, Lauren and Rylan will cherish their many adventures with Connor. The rest of his very special great aunties and uncles, cousins and friends will carry him in their hearts forever.
Connor was an organ donor, and we find peace in knowing he gave so much hope to many families. Our family is also very grateful to the compassionate ICU staff at Tacoma General Hospital and the LifeCenter Northwest donation team who lovingly cared for and honored him.
Connor was a kind, genuine spirit and a gentle human who left the world a better place. In honor and memory of Connor, please always be kind, and whenever you can, as he did, buy a meal for someone in need.
In lieu of flowers, we graciously ask that you donate to the Connor Jeffrey Jones Architecture Scholarship fund (University of Idaho) acct #1103618031 at the Gig Harbor branch of Columbia State Bank (address 5303 Point Fosdick Dr, Gig Harbor, WA 98335).
Private services were held.
Until we can hug you again (you gave the best hugs!), we will miss you to the stars and back. Wishing you happy trails our sweet son.
Please visit the guestbook at www.newtacoma.com.