Stephen Darrell Jones

It is with great regret that we announce the death of Stephen Darrell Jones (50, Wanship, Utah) on January 31, 2016, from an avalanche while skiing near Park City, Utah.

Stephen was born in Provo, Utah, on November 7, 1965 to Edward and Alyse Jones. Stephen loved the outdoors and spent his boyhood in Provo fishing and backpacking with his father and grandfather. He attended Provo High School from 1979 to 1984. When most kids his age were barely learning to use an electronic keyboard, Stephen taught himself programming languages by reading magazine articles handed out by his high school teacher.

Stephen served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Guam from 1985 to 1987. After a brief enrollment at Utah Valley Community College, he realized that his skills were already more advanced than his teachers, so he left to pursue a successful career as a software engineer.

Stephen and his wife, Melissa, married in 1995 and built a home together in the mountains outside Park City. He spent much of his time with Melissa and their two children, Damian and Serena, and could often be found volunteering at his children's school. Some of his favorite activities included taking his kids skiing, daddy-daughter dates with Serena, and carrying on the Jones tradition by fishing and backpacking with his own family.

Stephen was also an avid ultra-trail runner and backcountry skiing enthusiast. He started running in his mid-forties, beginning with a 50-mile trail run in the mountains of Utah. He frequently ran 100-mile and 200-mile trail races, finding joy in challenging himself, connecting to nature, and seeing others push themselves beyond what they thought possible. His greatest love was for his family and helping those in his community. He will be remembered for his wry humor and infectious energy, his physical endurance, and his ability to motivate and inspire others.

Stephen is survived by his wife, Melissa Ward Jones, his children, Damian Luykas (13) and Serena Evangeline (7), his parents, Edward Stephen Jones and Alyse Edgerton Jones (Provo, UT), and his seven younger siblings, Marci Jones Messick (Midpines, CA), David Jones (Salt Lake City, UT), Aaron Jones (Fort Mill, SC), Shelley Jones (Washington, DC), Brian Jones (Alpine, UT), Laura Phann (Provo, UT), and Catherine Bergstrom (Salt Lake City, UT).

Prior to the service, the family will receive visitors at the Probst Family Funeral Home (79 E Main St, Midway, UT) on Thursday, February 11, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm, and again on Saturday, February 13, at the Midway Town Hall (110 W Main St., Midway, UT) from 10:00am to 11:00am. The funeral will be held on Saturday, February 13, at the Midway Town Hall from 11:00am to 12:00pm, followed by his interment at the Heber City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Stephen D. Jones Memorial Fund at www.gofundme.com/StephenJones50/ .

We’re so thankful for all the love and support from our friends and family during this difficult time. We would particularly like to thank Summit County Search and Rescue, Park City Resort Ski Patrol, and Wasatch Mountain Wranglers.

“Anyone can run a marathon—where’s the fun in that?” ~Stephen Jones