JONES, Paul Folsom

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona, Sunday, June 02, 2013 Paul Folsom Jones passed away May 30th 2013 at home after a brief but intense battle with Creutzfeldt–Jakob Disease. Paul was born in Washington D.C. to John Paul Jones and Marian Elizabeth Folsom. The family, which grew by two siblings, moved to the San Francisco Bay area and Paul’s lifelong love affair with the Ocean began. After graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in Civil Engineering and an MBA, Paul settled in the Laguna Beach area where he worked for the Irvine Company and became a regular participant in the Sawdust Festival, selling model ships and photographs. He later moved to the mountains of Idyllwild where he lived for several years selling real estate. Reinventing himself after a divorce, Paul moved to Gallup, New Mexico where he grew to love the high desert and deep canyons almost as much as his beloved ocean. Obtaining a grant to promote passive solar he moved to Phoenix where he met Susan Johnson and several years later they welcomed their son Nick Jones into the world. The family relocated to Flagstaff in 1989 where Paul coordinated NAU’s first long range campus master plan. Afterwards he worked for the City of Flagstaff, developing an urban enhancement program which included expansion of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System, historic building restoration, and a new public art program. Drawn again to the ocean Paul earned a PhD in Cultural Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. He developed and taught classes at CCC and became an Adjunct Professor at NAU in the Humanities, which he truly loved. Paul had numerous and varied interests--ranging from jazz, to old British motorcycles, to hiking, biking and exploring the many trails of northern Arizona. He quietly volunteered his time to many organizations and served on boards for Habitat for Humanity, Theatrikos, FJA, and the Sierra Club. Paul is survived by his son Nick Jones, his wife Susan Johnson, brother Doug (Kathy) Jones, sister Dr. Taffy (Dr. Philip) Griffiths, step-children Josh and Erina, and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of life is being planned in the near future; email pauljonescelebration@gmail.com for details. In lieu of flowers consider donating to Sierra Club or Hospice Compassus. Or enjoy exploring the FUTS on a beautiful Flagstaff day. Arrangements by Norvel Owens Mortuary. This obituary was created by the Advertising Department (928) 556-2279.