JONES, Ronald G. (Ron)
1949 –2021
Ronald G. Jones of Rocky View County, AB, passed away from a heart attack on October 13, 2021.
Born in Yorkton, SK in 1949, to the late Albert & Lillian (Dorey) Jones, Ron grew up on a farm until the age of 12. He then moved to Surrey BC, where he completed high school, and attained his BSc degree from Simon Fraser University.
In 1973, he moved to Kitimat, to work for Eurocan Pulp & Paper. He held various positions there, including process engineer, and mill chemist.
In 1980, he moved to Elkford BC, where he worked for Fording/Teck Coal. He worked in various environmental positions at Fording River, Greenhills, and Calgary, until his retirement in 2013. Then he moved to a small acreage, where his hobbies became gardening, operating his tractor, watching moose & deer, and going fishing.
Ron is survived by his wife, Barbara Jones, daughter Cathy Bogdanovich (Mark) of Cochrane, brothers Darrel (Bonnie) of Kamloops, and Warren (Michel) of Sechelt. He is also survived by several cousins. His son Gordon Jones predeceased him.
A private memorial service was held on Thursday, October 21, 2021 followed by a graveside service at Queen’s Park Cemetery in Calgary, AB.
Barb and Cathy would like to contact those in attendance at the cemetery service in order to send a memorial folder in thanks for you coming to honour Ron. To share your contact information, please email the funeral home at cochrane@piersons.ca and we will forward your information to the family.
With gratitude from Cochrane Country Funeral Home
Arrangements entrusted to Florence (Flo) Simpson, Funeral Director
Cochrane Country Funeral Home – cochrane@piersons.ca – 403-932-1039
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Cathy and Dorey. We are shocked by this news… We got to know Ron through the passing of Gordon – also a very sad occasion. Ron was a gentle, kind soul and we delighted in our conversations with you all. Our prayers are with you.
Cathy we love you so much and our hearts go out to you in these very difficult days.
Lawson and Peggy Brown
Barb and Cathy,
We are so sorry to learn of Ron’s passing. What a shock to hear this news. Ron was such a kind wonderful person. We are so happy we got to spend some time together at Aunt Mary’s 100th. Please know that our hearts are with you.
Paul and Cathy
Barb and Cathy,
Thank you for letting us know. Our hearts are broken.
Ron and your whole family have always been so wonderful and I have nothing but great memories, from my childhood days living just up the street to you letting me fix my first truck in your garage; and then Barb, you helping to nurse me when gas spilled in my face. Ron had confidence in me as a very young man and brought me on to work with him at Fording where he truly mentored me and taught me so much and always with a lot of fun mixed in. Ron was an amazing talent and did such great foundational work that we still stand on today and which I often remind my peers and the younger generation how we advanced to this place and who’s shoulders we are standing on. More than the work, Ron was a teacher who truly loved to help people learn. Even more than that, he really did care for people and this was nowhere so evident in how he loved and cared for you, his family. I am so grateful to Ron and to your whole family for welcoming me into your lives and am truly blessed that my family got a chance to know the wonderful man, Ron Jones, on the acreage he loved in Cochrane as well. We pray the peace of God that is beyond all understanding would guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
With all our love and prayers,
Greg and Cindy and family.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Ron. I think often of what a wonderful mentor, leader and friend that Ron was to me. Ron was so supportive of my entry into the environmental management field, he always had time for me and others and was an amazing role model for me and others., he had a heart of gold! I remember his passion, his smile, his laugh, the sense of humour and the unwavering commitment he had. I wish to offer my condolences to Barb and family. I will remember Ron with great fondness.
Dear Cathy, Mark and Barb:
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your dad went too soon. He was such a kind man with a gentle spirit and a lovely sense of humour.
It was so obvious what a good dad he was. He was so easy to just hang out with. I will cherish memories of the 3 of us swimming together in the lake. I am certain that he is enjoying the beauty of heaven, and that one day you will all be together again. May God heal your hearts and give you supernatural peace and comfort in this difficult time. I truly am so sorry, and my heart aches for you.
All my love,
Sherri
Ron was a kind man helpful and a great boss when we worked together in Enviroment at Fording River in Elkford. He will be missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him. My condolences to Barb and Kathy.
I will miss Ron on the fishing grounds at QCL. Tight lines.
You are in our thoughts.
Ken & Glenda
Dear Barb, Cathy and extended family,
We are shocked and saddened to hear of Ron’s passing. He was always such a kind and generous soul- not a bad bone in his body. I (Don) first met Ron when we both started at Fording River operations in 1980. He was always upbeat and we enjoyed our time in the Environmental trailer in those early years. Ultimately with his love of hockey we found ourselves as linemates on the infamous G.O. team in the mine league where we faced down the intimidating Washplant goons and the other shift teams.
I moved to Calgary to work in the head office and didn’t run into Ron much until he and Barb moved to Calgary several years later. And lo and behold, Ron occupied the adjoining office to mine until his retirement! The walls were not soundproof so we could hear most of each others’ conversations with our respective staff members and of course his numerous phone calls with the minesites. Ron was an ardent advocate for science and collaborative research and initiated the studies into selenium management among other initiatives. He was highly respected in all aspects of mine management especially so in the environmental field. I think all would agree he was a giant in his field.
Laurie and I were honoured to attend Ron’s retirement party and so happy he and Barb had found their beautiful acreage west of town. His love of hockey drew him into town to watch those Flames practises where they offered free hot dogs and drinks! It was one of those occasions that I
last had the opportunity to visit with Ron.
We miss you buddy and thank you for your friendship.
Don & Laurie Mills
Our deepest condolences to you Barb, Cathy and all the family. Ron was one of a kind. His kindness and caring for people was something that I will never forget. I have many fond memories of working and being with Ron in Calgary, and the many road trips we did together while on the job. Each of those trips has a story I have shared with my family over the years, and they all end with a smile and many good laughs. Ron knew how to be a great mentor to many people, he was committed to people first. I am thankful for the time I got to spend with him. He will be missed but not forgotten.
Take Care, our thoughts are with you.
John and Adriana Pumphrey
I had the pleasure of working with Ron at the ‘River’ and playing hockey with him on Elkford Raiders team in the 80’s. More recently we would run into each other at the QCL lodge and trade fishing tales. My condolences to Barb and the family, he will be missed.
Bob
Dear Cathy, Mark and Mrs. Jones,
I will miss the big smile of Mr. Jones and his friendship. As we have rejoiced together so I shall mourn with you for our loss in the passing of a wonderful gentleman. Let us seek the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
You are in my prayers.
Khee Teck
Such sad news. We worked with Ron at Fording River Ops. He was a great professional to be sure and more importantly was one of the kindest, loveliest humans we have ever known. We send our condolences to you, Barb and your family.
Doug recalls some hockey times with Ron, but oddly didn’t want to elaborate …. Hmmmm. He did recall several meetings with Ron atop of Eagle Mountain (and said that in those days, it really was the top of the mountain).
We did see Ron a few years ago at a mini-reunion and what a delight that was. He was so very happy in his retirement; perfect was the word he used.
Condolences, Doug and Heather
My condolences to you Cathy,Mark and Barb.
Be rest assured that you will see your dad again for he is with the Lord. He has fought a good fight and finished the race.
If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord(Romans 14:8)
Barb Cathy and all the family
So sorry to hear to hear of Ron’s passing. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bess
Joan & Bert
Like many of you, I feel blessed to have known Ron Jones and his wonderful family, and to have experienced him as a close friend.
His passing leaves a large hole in all of our hearts.
I first met Ron when I recruited him for the newly created position of Environmental Officer at Fording River Operations in 1980.
It was quickly evident that the choice was a good one, with the incredible passion he displayed for his work, the way he interacted with people, and his ability to solve complex problems.
Ron was a tireless worker, and he soon earned the respect of management and workers at every level. He was relentless when an issue needed solving, and was not afraid to get his hands dirty or disagree with anyone to accomplish the objectives.
His innovations in environmental management served both Fording and the mining industry as a whole with sensible solutions that endure to the present day.
Ron’s legacy in many of his innovations lives on with all who have followed careers in environmental control, even if they do not know the origin of the process or activity . That is also the way he wanted it to be.
There was also a lighter side to Ron. Somehow he also found ways to be positive and to have fun in his work, and with the people he worked with. This skill is not pursued or perfected by many. He took his share of ribbing for many of his eccentricities in stride.
We all know of his love for cabbage rolls, O Henry bars and hamburgers, and he would take advantage of every opportunity to enjoy them. One day on a return trip from town, he realized that the delicious hamburger he bought was riding on the
hood of his truck where he had apparently left it. Without thinking, he hit the brakes to retrieve it. To his dismay, the burger went flying off the truck and onto the road. Ron never did confess if he dusted it off and enjoyed it anyway, but I have my own suspicions . We all know that Ron was very resourceful and was always mindful of costs.
Another one of Ron’s strengths was his ability to ask for information or help when he required it. This is a characteristic that served him well as a problem solver and as a respected supervisor.
Ron Jones was truly remarkable in every way, and a unique individual that any family, company or friend could ever wish for.
Ron made us all very proud.
Our prayers and condolences to You Barb and Cathy. Ron was an amazing mentor and role model to me. He always made me feel so special during my time in teck coal. I was a new grad and he spent the time to teach me and guide me like a true leader he was. Every trip with him was an adventure, always happy and always thinking how to make others happy. Thanks To Ron i love mining and also thanks to him i know the best restaurants between Calgary to Fernie and Edmonton. 🙂
I’ll miss you Ron. Thanks for being you!
Elaine and I were saddened to hear the news of Ron’s passing. Ron’s infectious smile and eternal optimism will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Barb and family.
Dave and Elaine
Dear Barb & Cathy. Just heard the very sad news of Ron’s passing… Sending you my deepest condolences to you & the family… Ron was truly a loving, caring man & loved his family deeply. My prayers & thoughts are with you at this very difficult time. Joan Andrusiak
Dear Barb. We felt such a deep sadness upon hearing of Ron’s passing when you phoned us with the bad news. I met Ron when I got my first job at Eurocan Pulp & Paper (West Fraser) in Kitimat after graduation. Because Ron was my supervisor, I was able to fit into my new job in this isolated town very easily. You made me feel right at home.
Ron and I shared a passion for doing house renovations. To this day I use the toolbox and leather carpenter apron you gave me as a gift. Still remember when I used to go with Ron in his small, green Datsun pickup to the Kitimat landfill while doing house renos. We always took Gordie with us. Cathy was a little girl then.
Ron taught me curling and we curled together at the Kitimat rink every winter. When my young wife came from India in May 1980, your sincere, warm personality made her feel so welcome in a new country. We were very sad to see you move away to Elkford that same year. Even though we have not seen you for almost 40 years, you are always in our mind. The memory we have is of you as a young, beautiful family and Ron as an energetic 30-year-old who was the most helpful in starting our many years in Kitimat. We had planned to come and see you last year but sadly could not due to the Covid restrictions. We will miss you Ron.
Dear Barb and Cathy.
May our Lord comfort you and your loved ones. I am deeply saddened by the loss that you and your family have encountered. My prayers and condolences to you Barb and Cathy.
October 10, I learned of his passing away and I am still in shock. I had the privilege of working with Ron for over 15 years. He was the kindest and most gentle person out. We shared years of wonderful memories together. He was like a big brother to me.
Ron was a wonderful teacher and I learned so much from him. He made my life so much richer and I will always remember him as my big brother. Ron I will miss your big smile and readiness to share a joke. You left a hole in my heart.
Saddened to hear of Ron’s passing, he was such a kind and generous person. He will be remembered fondly by our family. Ours thought are with you right now.
Elize Naude and family