Val Dennis Jones

I was lucky; I had good parents who loved me, took care of me, taught me to work and encouraged me to get a good education. I married Diane who loved me, took care of our family, and was my best friend. I especially appreciate the loving care and patience she provided while I had my bout with cancer and the love and guidance she provided for our family. I was lucky, I always had a job that I liked and people that I enjoyed working with.

Val Jones passed away on May 5, 2026 to be with his Father in Heaven, daughter, and his parents. He was born on May 30, 1939 in Salt Lake City to parents Pryde S. Jones and Mildred Peters Jones Stewart. He spent his childhood growing up in the Salt Lake area living at Utah Power & Light Company Housing at Terminal. He attended grade school at Boone School, a small four room school with two grades per room. In 1952, the family moved to Ashton, Idaho, living on the bank of the Snake River. It was there that Val learned to enjoy fishing. The family lived there for one year and then moved back to Terminal where he lived until he was married.

He attended Brockbank Junior High, Cyprus High, and graduated from the University of Utah in 1962 with a Bachelor’s degree.

In 1959 he met and fell in love with Diane Dennis. They dated for a few years and were married on July 6, 1961. A year later, they were sealed in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They had three children, Brian Kent, Dawna Rae, and Devin Mark. They lost their daughter, Dawna, to breast cancer in 2006. Val and Diane would have been married for 65 years as of July 2026.

In 1964, Val accepted employment with CF Braun & Company, a petro-chemical firm in Southern California. The family moved and bought a home in Downey. He worked at Braun as a senior engineer for nine years. While living in Downey, Val got involved with coaching and managing boys’ basketball, baseball, and football. They loved living there and made many friends.

In 1974, he accepted a position with an engineering company in Salt Lake. The family moved back to Utah and purchased a home in Bountiful. While working there, he became Vice President and Director of Engineering. They lived in their Bountiful home until the present time.

In 1981, Val accepted employment with Kennecott Utah Copper. He was part of the engineering team that was responsible for the engineering, design, and construction of the Copperton Concentrator and Mine Modernization. He worked at Kennecott for 22 years and retired in 2003 as an engineering and construction manager. He continued working as an associate engineer for Kennecott, doing consulting until 2014. He then really retired.

He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings throughout his life.

He was a lifelong University of Utah fan, mainly following football, basketball, and gymnastics. He enjoyed spending time at their Star Valley Ranch cabin in Wyoming with family and friends. He enjoyed fishing, riding ATV’s, golfing, a good book, and spending time with his family and friends. “I have enjoyed life with many hobbies, world-wide travel and cruises with family and friends, reading, attending live theater, gardening, and learning. In younger years, I enjoyed fishing, camping, and hunting.”

He is survived by his wife Diane, sons Brian, Devin (Erin), a brother Gary Jones (Kathy), grandchildren Tyson Jones, Sierra Martinez (Mauro), Dylan Jones, Khloe Jones, Skyler Simmons, Mikaela Simmons Beesley (Boston), Cole Paradis, Sophia Paradis, and great-grandchildren Kai, Luca, and Benny Martinez. He was proceeded in death by his parents and daughter Dawna Simmons.

A viewing will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 N. Main Bountiful, Utah 84010. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at the Barton Creek Ward, 640 S. 750 E. Bountiful, Utah 84010, at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the funeral services.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary and Crematory YouTube Channel and on this obituary page. See YouTube video below.