Leslie Mel Jones was born on July 19, 1951 to Melvin Lee and Evalyn Jones in Logan, Utah. He was named after his grandfather Leslie Peel who had passed away the prior year. The family moved back to Mesa, Arizona, where Les attended Erving and Edison Elementary Schools, Mesa Jr. and Kino Jr. High Schools, Westwood High School and Mesa Community College. He served a 2-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to Uruguay/Paraguay. Upon returning home, he attended Brigham Young University where he met his wife Julene. They were married for time and eternity in the Los Angeles Temple, March 9, 1974.
Les started his work career at the age of 8 working for his father’s company, Mel Jones Masonry, sweeping the office and cleaning up around the yard. By the time he was 14 he spent his summers, after school, weekends and holidays on the construction site working with the other tenders, masons and then laying block – competing with the best masons on crew. He took pride in showing all the homes, fences and commercial properties he worked on around the valley. He worked briefly in real estate and in 1986 began working for Arizona Block. The company later purchased Superlite Block Company where he worked till his medical retirement in 2014. He developed deep friendships with many that he continued till the end of his life. Because of his fluence in the Spanish language, he was called to translate often for his father and in his work.
He experienced many health challenges and live with pain for many years. Despite his hardship, he tried to always have a joke and a smile. His love for his family, friends and his Savior Jesus Christ never wavered.
He passed away on November 30, 2020, on his grandfather Willard Jones’ 138th birthday.
Sons: Jeremy, Joshua, Justus (deceased); Wife: Julene; Siblings: Randy (Marie), Brenda, Willie, Glen (Sylvia) and Ivan (Allison).
We are grateful for his life, his hard work and dedication, his love of family and mostly love of the Lord.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks if you would find an opportunity to serve any of you neighbors – even in some small way.
I’m so grateful to know, and be related to, my uncle Les Jones. My earliest memory is standing in back of a truck while Les and my dad talked and I played with my cousin Jeremy. I loved spending time in the summers at their house and remember Les always being good to me as a child. When I got older, he welcomed my wife into the family and treated her with such warmth that we always felt like we were his favorites. He treated my daughters like they were his own grandchildren and they prayed for him every night. Les dealt with a lot of health issues but he was always kind to us and would call me and visit on the phone for years while I lived in the Midwest and then Utah. He always joked and laughed even though I know he was in pain. I’m grateful for his example and love and I know he is at peace to be with his son Justus and others, and out of the pain he experienced. His wife Julene is amazing and he was fortunate to have such a loving and faithful spouse and mother for their children. -“BlakeLee”
Dear Julene and Jeremy-
The time is never right and the heart is never ready to say goodbye to those we love. I pray that the void left by the passing of your beloved husband and father will be filled by the Comforter and bring you peace and joy in knowing you will be together again. May the sweet memories of him come to you often and be a source of happiness, strength, and gratitude.
In loving sympathy,
Becca
How very grateful I have been to have a big brother like Les. He took on the mantle of patriarch after dads passing. He never failed to call and check in with all our families regarding our well being. I will miss his jokes and his brilliant mind, but his testimony of the Savior will forever live in my heart. I love you Les and am so grateful for you and Julene. I know your reunion with loved ones and freedom from pain is beyond comprehension. I love you brother, always and forever.
I had the privilege to have worked with Les for 25 years. Even after we both retired, Les would call to check up on me, even though he was having his own serious medical issues. He had such a kind and generous spirit that you always knew you were a lifelong friend. Les was a large man both physically and spiritually and I felt it was a honor to be counted as one of his friends.
You will be missed but not forgotten, Cynda Hodges
My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Les always talked so kindly to me when I saw him. My heart hurts for my dear friend Julene. I know you will feel the strength of the spirit in your life.
I worked with Les from the time He came to work at Superlite. He was a great friend and an inspiration. Les was always the go to person to figure out problems with how and what block needs to be used to help any customer do the right thing. Les was a powerful tool at Superlite to solve customer problems. He was always a pleasure to talk to about problems, or just set down and have a great conversation. He will be missed for ever, and not forgotten. He truly was a great friend.
Les was our home teacher after we moved close to them. He was always faithful and we felt his genuine love and care for us and even our dogs. We grew to love Les and considered him a true friend. I always enjoyed spending time in the church foyer talking to Les when he would come even though he had his severe health challenges then. Even with those challenges he would always ask how Kim, our boys and I were doing and I knew he had a sincere interest in us. I think of him fondly and consider him the best home teacher we ever had. He was such a good, kind hearted person. He will be missed.
Dearest Julene and boys, I want to express my love to you. Les was our Home Teacher for several years. He was always so thoughtful and cheerful. He gave wonderful messages to our family. May you find please in his passing. He was a good man.
I have such fond memories of singing with Les in the Gilbert 5th ward choir. I would set right next to him so I could follow him. One week Les did not come and when the bases had to sing there part we were horrible none of us could sing with out Les there to follow.