Marvin Lee Jones, 87, formerly of Virden, New Mexico, entered into eternal life Monday, May 15, 2017, in Provo, Utah.
Marvin was born March 1, 1930 to Parley Penrose and Lillian Dorothy Mortensen Jones in Virden, New Mexico, the third of six children. From an early age he worked on the family farm.
As a young man he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Central Atlantic States Mission. He continued to be a valiant missionary and force for good throughout his life.
On March 26, 1952 he married his sweetheart, LaFlorence Brawley in the Mesa Arizona Temple. They are the parents of seven children, Michael Lee (Terry), Geralyn Powers (Keith), Marshall Wayne (Thelma), Terry Ann Griffin (Dean), Pamela Burch (Paul), Rodney Craig (Kathryn), and Alan Reed (Shelley). From there his family grew to include thirty one grandchildren and sixty two great grandchildren. All loved “Grandpa” because of his great example, his life teachings, and his testimony.
He constantly served and taught others about the gospel, helped many young men become Eagle Scouts, became a noted Gospel Doctrine teacher and excelled at missionary work. His kind, gentle and loving manner testified to all who knew him of his love for our Savior, Jesus Christ.
In addition to farming and livestock management he received many civic awards for his service in scouting and 4-H. Marvin worked for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for thirteen years and used his diverse skills to maintain all aspects of church buildings.
Marvin and his wife LaFlorence served an 18 month mission in Leeds, England from 1996-1998. They received their mission call the same day their first grandson received his. At one time six grandsons were serving simultaneous missions in various places around the world, which brought them great joy. Thirty-one family members have served missions.
Marvin is survived by: his wife of 65 years; seven children and their spouses; twenty-nine grandchildren; and sixty-two great-grandchildren; a sister, Dorothy Lillian Richins (Devaun Richins, deceased), and a brother Delwin Grant Jones (Maurine). He was preceded in death by a grandson, Trevor Wayne Jones, and a granddaughter Kayloni Burch, his parents and three brothers, Fredrick William (Mary, deceased), Harry Lavern, and Chester Reed Jones (Patricia, deceased).
Graveside services for Marvin will be conducted Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at 4:00 p.m. at the Virden Cemetery.
Arrangements are entrusted to Vining Funeral Home.
