Robert Morris Jones

Robert “Bob” Morris Jones passed away peacefully on May 1, 2024 at Acacia Health Center at Sagewood, in Phoenix, Arizona. Daughters Karin Harwell and Lynn Ferguson were with Bob in his final hours. Robert was born November 12, 1927 in Highland Park, Illinois, the son of Claburn and Catherine (nee Halsted) Jones. Robert was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Mary Fern Allerton Jones (1929-2017). He was also preceded in death by an older brother, Claburn ‘Ying’ Jones and two sisters, Mary Ann Wieboldt and Catherine ‘Cay’ Garnett. He is survived by his children and their spouses: Laura (Karl Karlstrom) Crossey, Albuquerque, NM; Karin (Greg) Harwell, Pleasant Hill, CA; Lynn (Dave) Ferguson, Bayfield, CO; Perry Jones, Durango, CO; and Carol (Simon) Paterson, Sydney, Australia; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Bob graduated from Lake Forest Academy (high school) and received his Bachelor’s degree in History from Colorado College (where he met his wife, Mary). He graduated in 1951. Bob was an outstanding athlete in several sports throughout his life: including track and field, football, skiing, golf, tennis, and curling. He was recognized in the Colorado College Sports Hall of Fame for the Conference championships for the football team (he served as quarterback). His golfing prowess led to many championships in the Chicago area, and in curling he led his teams at Exmoor Country Club (in Highland Park) to success. He was a member of the US Men’s Masters Curling team. During the Korean War, Bob served as a Captain in the US Marines. Returning to Illinois, Bob started his career in sales, then worked in the finance industry, heading the Commercial Loan Division as a Vice- President for Household Finance Corporation in Chicago where he evaluated properties and business models nationwide. Bob and Mary raised their five children in Palatine and Deerfield, Illinois, then relocated to Durango, Colorado, and subsequently to Rio Verde and Sagewood in Arizona. Bob was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity in both Durango, Colorado and Rio Verde, Arizona. He was a long-time member of groups in Colorado and Arizona for hiking with a focus on archaeology as well as horseback riding. He was an avid skier throughout his life. More recently he enjoyed hobbies such as model airplanes, wood carving and painting. The caring and dedicated staff at Sagewood/Acacia kept Bob on his toes and engaged with new activities. Bob was a loving husband and father: he will be greatly missed by his family, friends and community. A private celebration of his life will be held in Chicago, Illinois in the fall of 2024. Burial services will be held at Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, where he will join Mary in the Halsted family plot. Arrangements by Inclusive Funeral Care, 773-370-2959 or www.InclusiveFuneralCare.com.

Robert Morris Jones

November 12, 1927 - May 1, 2024