Ray William Jones July 16, 1960 - April 10, 2016
“Suddenly you were gone, from all the lives you left your mark upon”
On April 10, 2016 at 6:45 PM Ray William Jones, surrounded by his family and closest friends, took the last chair on the Big Sky lift for a final ski run to Paradise Peak. He was 55 years of age and had been undergoing cancer treatments since September 2013.
Ray was born in Mariposa to Bill and Maxine Jones on July 16, 1960. After graduating from Mariposa High, he worked for CalFire for 8 years before signing on with the National Park Service. He quickly established a reputation there that led to an appointment as Foreman of the Yosemite Helitack crew.
For the past 18 years he had been self-employed as a professional tree surgeon. Ray loved music, art, skiing, comedy and creative activities. He was always kind to strangers and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Ray is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Toni Louise of Merced; son Jacob of Elk Grove; son Gaelen and grandchildren Rhu and Irie of Midpines; brother Tom and wife Susan of Oakhurst; brother Wes of Hornbrook CA; several nieces, nephews and extended family members too numerous for mention.
A celebration of Ray’s life will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016 high noon at the Mariposa Masonic Temple located at 5154 Jones Street, Mariposa CA. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Bernie Sanders Presidential Fund.
“I remember, shouts of joy skiing fast through the woods
I hear the echoes.
I learned your love for life, I feel the way that you would.
I feel your presence, I remember.”
-Rush, Afterimage