Ronald Thomas Jones

A storyteller, lover of people, follower of Jesus, father, grandfather, great grandfather, husband of 52 years, neighbor, and a friend to countless others, Ron Jones entered his eternal life under blue sky on the afternoon of March 4, 2026.

Having never met a stranger, Ron’s life began on January 16, 1938, and centered around people, stories, creativity and deep reflection. His father’s work ethic, alongside his mother’s vibrant Christian faith produced a deeply-joyful man who saw every day as an opportunity to celebrate life, lift up others and enjoy the simple gifts: food, the beauty of God’s creation and meals around a table.

A master of words, Ron’s storytelling and poetry honored countless lives, from his grandchildren to restaurant owners - always highlighting and revealing a redemptive hope in adversity, circumstance and the joy of being alive. Music also played a central role in his life, delighting many over the years with his spirited piano-playing from an early age. Even after a major stroke in 2019, Ron continued to play, amazing his neurologists.

Alongside piano lessons, he could be found trapping muskrats in Arvada’s Van Bibber Creek as a boy, and not long after, starting his first job at 14 years old at the first grocery store named after his boss, Lloyd King. Ron viewed work as a way to contribute and cultivate connection and would become a King Soopers store manager with 30 years of service, followed by 25 years of service at Safeway. Beloved by his customers, he was known for giving slices of fruit in the produce department to greeting with his trademark smile from the ‘nut bar’ at the Conifer Safeway.

The Great Grandson of Benjamin Franklin Wadsworth (founder of Arvada, Colorado), much of Ron’s pride came from being a fourth generation Colorado and Arvada native, the son of a coal miner and farmers, and continuing the legacy of pioneering, both the land, and creating a true sense of community.

Ron’s life was about connecting people to their passion, their dreams, stories, and how to live life to the full. He served on numerous committees with the City of Lakewood, served as an elder and deacon at church, led Welcome Wagon in the 90s, taught customer service workshops, and giving him the most joy, played the lobby piano at St. Anthony’s hospital in Lakewood for five years, where he brought hope, comfort and compassion to patients, visitors and hospital staff.

Cultivating friendships, from his mail carrier to restaurant servers, Ron was notorious for telling stories, but also asking thoughtful questions of others, making them feel seen and worthy. One of his favorite questions he would ask others, “What is your dream?”

Winning her heart and hand with a poem, Ron married Kathleen Murphy in 1966 and enjoyed a life together of family dinners, fishing expeditions, vacations in Glenwood Springs and California, and supporting their children and grandchildren, from theater performances to baseball/football/soccer games. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2017. Through Kathleen’s decline, Ron stayed close to her side to the end of her life in 2019.

Able to stay in his home of 50+ years in Lakewood, Ron enjoyed the final years of his life ‘riding shotgun’ with his children; cooking dinner and soccer games with his daughter Julie, road trips to Palisade and Elsinore, Utah with his son Tim, and supervising from the truck, watching his son Jeff develop his mountain property, where he enjoyed his final day on a brilliant early spring afternoon.

There is no doubt Ron is ‘counting it all joy,’ based on one of his favorite lines of scripture and reflected in his poem:

Count it pure joy,

Music of the soul

In the bones

Of the perfect whole

Rhythm in the bones

Is there to stay

Nothing on earth

Takes it away

Born of utmost fear

The fear of God

Joy in the sky

Not in the sod

No power on earth

Separates this soul

From the bones that form

The most perfect whole

Child of despair

Labored head bent low

Songs of angels

Call this humble soul

Found in the sunset

Promise to stand

Spirit of God

Soul of man

Ron joins his wife of 52 years, Kathleen Carol Jones, his parents and family who have gone before, as well as his stillborn daughter in the life to come. He leaves his laughter, faith, deep joy and zealousness with his children, Jeff, Julie Gilbert and Tim; His nine Grandchildren, Andrew, Allie, Daniel, Emily, James, Cooper, Jessie, Eli and Owen, his Great Grandson, Jack, his brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Carol Jones.

His children will invite Ron’s many friends and family to a celebration of life this summer. His favorite food will be served: fried chicken and mashed potatoes. Please return for more information.