Opal Essie McHan Jones

Opal Essie McHan Jones passed away on July 2, 2022 after a valiant fight against lung cancer. Opal was born in Fairfield Idaho on July 20, 1940, to Vance and Essie McHan. She was the youngest of four children and she and her older brother, Vard McHan, were the only two who lived past young childhood.

Opal spent her childhood and youth living on a farm in Wendell, Idaho. Her father died when she was only five years old. He was always her hero because he was so good to his family and her mom was her hero for running a farm to provide for her young children. Opal learned to rise very early and work hard, both of which she did for the rest of her life. She loved school and learning her entire life. She also loved sports and played basketball and ran track in high school. Her long legs helped her to take State in hurdles both her Junior and Senior year.

Opal had great compassion for others and attended nursing school at the University of Missouri and Idaho State University in Pocatello. She loved being a nurse and specialized in surgery. On December 28, 1964, she married Victor Jones, who had three young children from a previous marriage. Opal completed and received a Bachelor’s Degree in education. She loved teaching as much as being a nurse.

A few years later, Opal and Victor had a daughter, Teresa, and then 21 months later a son, Travis. Sadly, he passed away when he was three days old. The couple was beyond devastated. Two years later, they had another son, Jason.

Opal and her family also lived in McCall, Council, and Orofino Idaho. Opal served in her community, at the kids’ school, and in her church. Opal attended graduate school at the University of Idaho in Moscow Idaho, with a Master’s in Special Education. In 1988 Opal and Victor divorced. She moved to Wendell to help take care of her aging mother, and then went back to Orofino once her mom passed. Opal moved to Nampa Idaho when she was offered a consulting teacher position. In 1993 she was diagnosed with osteo sarcoma in her right leg. In November 1994 the University of Utah amputated her leg in order to save her life. Opal walked on crutches until this past year.

In 2019 Opal was diagnosed with breast cancer. She beat it and then was diagnosed with lung cancer in January 2022. She valiantly fought to the end, as she has with every other trial thrown her way. We love her, miss her, and are thrilled that she is now reunited with those she has lost, especially her baby boy Travis. Opal is survived by her daughter Teresa Norton (Kent), son Jason Jones, grandsons Bryce & Tyler Norton, and grandsons Victor & Howard Jones (Elizabeth Jones).

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2022, 11:00 a.m., at Valley View Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 4335 W 4100 S, West Valley City, Utah. A viewing will be held at 9:45 a.m., before the graveside service at the same location.