(January 26, 1947 – August 16, 2017) 

Our loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, and brother passed away unexpectedly after struggling with health issues.

Gene’s early years started in Layton, UT. He enjoyed playing baseball with his brothers and friends. His father often coached the neighborhood team. The Jones family later moved to Morgan, UT where Gene finished his last year of high school graduating in 1965. He loved the country and ranch life, but also loved rock and roll. He was a self-taught guitarist and even saw the Beatles in concert at Shea Stadium. Gene served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Eastern States Mission (primarily in New York.) He also attended Weber State University.

After his mission, he courted Patti Rollins and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple and settled down in Mountain Green, UT. They had four children, Quinn, Christian, Zachary, and Jacob. His passion for the outdoors, hard work, and having fun was passed down to his children.

Through his life, he had many vocations. He worked on the ranch cutting, baling, and hauling hay, fixing fences, and raising cattle and horses. Gene did everything from selling farm implements to being a certified flight instructor at the Ogden Airport. He spent over 20 years managing the sporting goods department at Smith & Edwards in Ogden, UT.

Gene moved to Malad, ID in 1996 after marrying Sandy Surline. They were sealed in the Brigham City, UT temple. He retired from Smith & Edwards and went to work for Hess Pumice in Malad. He and Sandy started Gene’s Service repairing small engines, mowers, and other farm equipment. Their ranch, the Hangingfork Ranch, continues to this day.

Gene enjoyed fulfilling his callings in the LDS Church. He was full of goodness, kindness, had a positive outlook, and always had a listening ear. He was passionate about family history and loved to collect and tell family stories. He also loved cowboy poetry, good books, ranching and often joked that he had been born a hundred years too late. He and Sandy were members of the Cowboy Poets of Idaho for a number of years and performed under the name of Bad Water Cattle Co. His influence will be sorely missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his devoted wife, Sandy; son, Quinn (Stephanie); daughter, Christian (Tyler) Charlesworth ; son, Zach (Trish); son, Jake (Katie); step-son, Mark (Steph) Pierson; step-son, Keith (Angie) Pierson; brother, Greg (Evelyn); brother, Jim (Talona); brother, Marc (Beverly); sister, Melody (Jeff) Little; sister, Greta (Van) Woodward; brother, Ben (Lisa); brother, Andrew (Cindy); and nineteen grandchildren.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents Gene and Beverly Jones.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, August 23 at 12 noon in the Malad LDS Stake Center, 1250 N. 1100 W. Friends may visit with the family at the church on Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. and Wednesday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the St. John Cemetery.