Thomas "Tom" Charles Jones

Thomas Charles Jones, my rock and great partner, passed away on August 5, 2025 at KVH in Ellensburg after suffering a massive brain hemorrhage. Tom was born on June 6, 1949 in Yakima, Washington to Joseph Parker Jones and Charlotte (Erickson) Jones.

Tom lived in Selah until third grade. The family moved to Yakima where he attended Broadway and Stanton schools, graduating from Eisenhower High School in 1967. He graduated with a degree in geography from Central Washington State College in 1972.

Tom’s love of the forest began with his Grandpa Erickson, who took young Tom and his brothers to the Bumping Lake area, teaching them all about the wonders of the forest. Tom started working as a fire fighter for the US Forest Service on the Naches Ranger District in 1968, during the summers, and was hired on permanently in 1974. It was during this time that he met Barbara Murdaugh at Little Bald Fire Lookout where she was working at the time. They married on September 22, 1973 and made a lifetime of memorable adventures together. Tom worked for the Forest Service in Washington and Oregon until he retired in 1999, as a highly respected fire behavior analyst. After retirement, he continued to work on fires in that capacity for the Forest Service in the Southwest and Northwest until 2012.

Tom’s interests and hobbies revolved around the mountains he loved, including camping, fishing, hiking, jeeping, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. While living in Lexington, Oregon, Tom learned to fly and built a Kitfox experimental airplane that he enjoyed flying for several years, after moving to Ellensburg, Washington. Tom’s job with the US Forest Service sent him to many places and because he also had so many interests, he made numerous life-long friends from all over with whom he kept in contact. He joined the Experimental Aircraft Association in Ellensburg and thoroughly enjoyed the comradery of that group. Tom was a rock to lean on in time of need for family and friends. At the same time, he had a great sense of adventure with a huge dose of fun. Tom will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother Barnie Jones, who died in 2019.

Tom is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara, of Ellensburg, his brother David (Jean) Jones of Yakima, one nephew, Barnie’s son, Ted Jones, of Rochester, Minnesota, and several cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held August 23, 2025 at 1:00pm at Keith and Keith Funeral Home, 902 W Yakima Avenue, in Yakima, Washington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Central Washington University, Ellensburg Washington.