Jerry Legrand Jones, retired popular Mesa High teacher, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 18, 2017. He was 78 years old. Jerry was lovingly known to his German students as “Herr Jones”, and his grandchildren as “Paco”. He is survived by his wife, Shenla Phelps Jones, 8 children – Laurie Lines (Ruskin), Julie Hallsted (Barry), Kambi Strong (Chris), Tamara LeCheminant (Christian), Brad Jones, Ryan Jones (Becca), Kristen MacLay (Ryan), Kimeree Bates (Phil), 30 grandchildren, 2 great-granddaughters, and siblings Bryson Jones, Dennis Jones and Fayon Hunt (Darnell Jones-deceased).
Jerry was born in Kanab, Utah, on March 15, 1939, second son to Charles Legrand and Violet Heaton Jones. He was followed by 3 additional siblings. Jerry loved his childhood, spending time with many cousins, and especially spending time in the hills of Kanab with his dad who was a sheepherder. His dad taught him to be a prankster which Paco’s children and grandchildren will always remember him for, especially where water fights are involved!
Jerry will always be remembered for being one of the hardest working men that ever lived. As a teenager he worked many jobs to support himself and save for his 3-year missionary service in Frankfurt, Germany, as well as supporting himself through college at BYU where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in the German language. He met his sweetheart, Shenla Phelps, a fellow student teacher, during his first-year teaching. Herr Jones became a very popular teacher at Mesa High School teaching German and some English classes for 37 years. He built a very successful tax and financial planning business to supplement his teaching income and had many of the same clients for over 30 years. Jerry was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was very dedicated in any calling he held. He especially loved serving as a stake missionary and Stake Mission President. Playing with his children and grandchildren was the highlight of his life, whether it be playing checkers, sports, fishing or giving them “horsey” rides.
Jerry’s life will be honored through a funeral service on Saturday, November 25th at 10 a.m. at the LDS church at 1455 N. Harris Drive, Mesa, AZ. Closed casket visitation will be at 9 a.m. at the church. Burial in Kanab, Utah the following day.
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I am sorry for your loss. Condolences to you and your family. I look forward to the time when “death is swallowed up forever.” (1 Corinthians 15:54) When one of my family members passed away, I looked to my family for comfort, but most importantly, I received comfort from God’s Word the Bible. Jesus likened death to sleeping. This is encouraging because people can be awakened from sleep. The Bible gives us hope of a resurrection. In Revelation 21:4, God promises, “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” I look forward to that time and it helps me get by. I hope it is encouraging to you too.
To the family, my sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one. May you find comfort in the knowledge that “there is going to be a resurrection,” as the Bible confirms at Acts 24:15. “Do not be amazed at this,” Jesus assures us, “for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out.” (John 5:28,29) By meditating on God’s promises found in the Bible, may you find real hope and the strength to keep going. (1 Th 4:13,14) My deepest sympathy.
I had “Herr Jones” for 4 years of Mesa High German class. I found his love of teaching and love of language to be quite inspiring. I was so impressed by his love of German culture that I briefly was a foreign exchange student. He also provided a tranquility and stability in a large campus.
It was my pleasure and honor to have known Jerry briefly. He had a great sense of humor and indomitable spirit. Please accept my condolences regarding Jerry’s passing and be assured as the Scriptures teach, that the day of death is greater than the day of our birth. – Ecclesiastes 7:1
Herr Jerry Jones was an inspiration to me and helped me so much with learning the language and culture of my forebears. He went with his students to attend Sommerlager (summer camp) in northern California and made it possible for me to be an exchange student in Germany.
Most importantly, his humble faithfulness set an example that led to my joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints