JONES, Glenn Alvin

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ May 1, 2002, p. A10 Glenn Alvin Jones An exemplary community and business leader, Glenn Alvin Jones, was born in Lehi, Arizona on June 20, 1911. He grew up on the family farm, learning the values of hard work, family cohesiveness and moral uprightness from his father, Thomas W. Jones, and his mother, Elizabeth Schwartz Jones. Spurred by a desire to become a dentist, he entered Arizona State Teachers College at Tempe (now Arizona State University) in the fall of 1929. He attended college for two years, working in the cantaloupe harvest during the summer months to earn expense money, but he was unable to make enough to continue with his college studies. He married his sweetheart, Vernell Johnson of Chandler. In 1934 He began working at the O.S. Stapley Company, which became the Arizona Hardware Company, one of the largest wholesale hardware companies in the West. From a warehouse worker he became Manager of Arizona Hardware and a Vice President of O.S. Stapley. During his hardware career he was very active in the National Wholesale Hardware Association and the Southwest Wholesale Distributors, serving as a board member and as an officer. In 1970, after retiring from the hardware business, Glenn began a new career with the purchase of a Ford dealership in Wickenburg, with his oldest son, Tom. The business grew and prospered under their direction. Later, Glenn's youngest son, Ron, joined the business, and four more franchises were added to include dealerships in Buckeye and Casa Grande, representing Ford, Chrysler and General Motors, currently known as Jones Auto Centers. He operated his auto dealerships according to his life's mission statement, "A man's word must be as good as his bond," and "Honesty simplifies one's life, lets you sleep well, and conserves energy for the things that are most important in life." An energetic booster of Scouting, Glenn served on the Theodore Roosevelt Council Board and as Finance Chairman and Council President. For his services in Scouting, he was presented with the Silver Beaver Award. His community service also included six years on the Arizona State Welfare Board and as Vice Chairman of Arizona's Department of Economic Security Advisory. He was a veteran member of the Sun Kiwanis Club and the Casa Grande Rotary Club. But the center of Glenn's life has always been his service and dedication to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He held many leadership positions in the church, including serving in the Bishopric of several wards, as Stake President of the East Phoenix Stake from 1962 to 1973, as Chairman of the Board of LDS Social Services, and as a Sealer in the Arizona Temple. At the time of his death he was serving as High Priest Group Leader. The late Mrs. Jones was also recognized as a tireless servant of her church. Glenn's commitment to his church was exceeded only by his love for his family: his wife Vernell, who preceded him in death, and his five children and their spouses, Glenna Shapiro (Lawrence), Vernadeen Vetterli (Richard, deceased), Marva Lynn Stowell (Greg), Thomas Glenn (Kathleen), and Ronald Lawrence (Gwen), and his 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Not only did the life and example of Glenn Jones inspire and uplift his family, but his generous community service has made a difference for good throughout the state of Arizona. Visitation was Friday, April 19 at the Biltmore Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, in Phoenix. Funeral services were held Saturday, April 20 at the same address. Contributions may be made to the Arizona Kidney Foundation, 4203 E. Indian School Rd., No. 140, Phoenix, Ariz., or the LDS Continuing Education Fund at the same address.