Obituary for Stephen Loyd Jones
Lovingly written by Stephen’s Family…
On September 15, 2023, Stephen Loyd Jones, 64, finished his race, entering into the presence of the Lord after a six-month battle with cancer. Steve passed peacefully, surrounded by his family in the house he built that has been called home by his eight children for the past 28 years.
Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Loyd Jones and Donna Webster. He is survived by his wife, Laura; their children, Connor Jones and wife Jessie, Landon Jones, Hannah Sell and husband Bob, Meleah Myers and husband Lucian, Andrah Myers and husband Boone, Lydiah Sampsel and husband Noah, Christah Jones, and Charis Jones. His grandchildren include Nigel, Gordon, Miles, Leland, and Zoey Jones,Ellen Myers, and Reagan Sell. He is also survived by his sister, Melody Irle, and husband Jeff.
Steve was born on December 18, 1958, in Topeka, Kansas. He attended Olathe High School, graduating in 1978, where he enjoyed participating in sports including football and track. Of his athletic interests, track in particular became a focus. Because of his dedication, he was able to go on to win a state championship in pole vaulting. It was during his high school years, that he was introduced to the Word of God. Steve’s grandmother was the one who supported the development of his faith by encouraging him to attend Bible camp and taking him to church regularly. His faith and interest in track were both important aspects of Steve’s life that carried into his time at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas where he studied electrical engineering. Being a part of the Pitt State Track team and continuing to be a strong follower of Jesus caused Steve to regularly attend the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter on campus. It was at one of these gatherings that Steve met Laura McDonald, a nursing student. Though not an athlete as Steve was, Laura did, however, share his faith. As it happened, Steve and Laura had actually gone to the same high school together, though never knew it. After this meeting, a relationship began to develop, and after dating for 3 years and both finishing their degrees, Steve and Laura were married on August 6th, 1983.
Out of college, Steve started his lifelong career working at GE Medical Systems as a Field Service Engineer which helped support his and Laura’s wonderful family. They were dedicated to raising a Godly family and faithfully nurtured their eight children together.
One of the ways that he enjoyed investing in his children’s lives was to encourage and provide opportunities for them in music. You might say he lived out his love for music through them, to which each of his children would testify. He allowed each of them to have music lessons in multiple instruments and gave them plenty of opportunities to share their music with others.
Steve was a people person. No one can deny that. He had an infectious smile and lively sense of humor which made it hard for those around him not to end up with a smile on their face as well. His interest in everyone he met came through in every encounter. He enjoyed having deep conversations with his friends and loved ones about life and faith. His family can tell you they were the last to leave events many times because Dad was still talking with and spending time with people. He showed interest in all people regardless of background or walks of life. He sought to understand and had a genuine curiosity about the paths each person was on, gleaning from their experiences what he could.
He loved to talk about his faith and grow and learn from those who were spiritual shepherds and comrades. He loved God and wanted to please him with his life in every way possible. He never stopped learning and seeking to live a life that would be honoring to Christ. Steve was a member of Fairview Christian Church of Carthage, Missouri where he was actively and enthusiastically involved in groups and classes. Here, Steve developed many strong relationships which he cherished deeply and left a mark on.
Steve was interested in cycling which included instructing spin classes at the local YMCA in Carthage, Missouri. Steve loved finding a good deal. He enjoyed researching the ins and outs of things to make sure he got the best quality for the best price. Music moved Steve. He had an ear and deep appreciation for the intricacies of the songs he loved, always pointing out well-done melodies and harmonies, wanting others to share in his joy. In particular, Bluegrass music and songs with a strong theological message were those that he connected with the most. And to the surprise of most, even his family, Steve was also a closet sentimentalist. From notes to boutonnieres to carwash tokens, Steve would keep items connected to moments and gestures that held a special place in his heart. Most of the items he kept were given to him by his children.
In his passing, Steve’s faith is made complete, leaving this imperfect, broken life behind. The joy he now knows is beyond what those still here can comprehend. While the hearts of his family and friends may be broken to say goodbye to him in this life, they can look forward to seeing him again in all the glory of Heaven.
Following a private family burial, a memorial service will be held at Fairview Christian Church, 2320 Grand Avenue, Carthage, MO, 64836, on September 18th at 4:00 pm.
On September 15, 2023, Stephen Loyd Jones, 64, finished his race, entering into the presence of the Lord after a six-month battle with cancer. Steve passed peacefully, surrounded by his family in the house he built that has been called home by his eight children for the past 28 years.
Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Loyd Jones and Donna Webster. He is survived by his wife, Laura; their children, Connor Jones and wife Jessie, Landon Jones, Hannah Sell and husband Bob, Meleah Myers and husband Lucian, Andrah Myers and husband Boone, Lydiah Sampsel and husband Noah, Christah Jones, and Charis Jones. His grandchildren include Nigel, Gordon, Miles, Leland, and Zoey Jones,Ellen Myers, and Reagan Sell. He is also survived by his sister, Melody Irle, and husband Jeff.
Steve was born on December 18, 1958, in Topeka, Kansas. He attended Olathe High School, graduating in 1978, where he enjoyed participating in sports including football and track. Of his athletic interests, track in particular became a focus. Because of his dedication, he was able to go on to win a state championship in pole vaulting. It was during his high school years, that he was introduced to the Word of God. Steve’s grandmother was the one who supported the development of his faith by encouraging him to attend Bible camp and taking him to church regularly. His faith and interest in track were both important aspects of Steve’s life that carried into his time at Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas where he studied electrical engineering. Being a part of the Pitt State Track team and continuing to be a strong follower of Jesus caused Steve to regularly attend the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter on campus. It was at one of these gatherings that Steve met Laura McDonald, a nursing student. Though not an athlete as Steve was, Laura did, however, share his faith. As it happened, Steve and Laura had actually gone to the same high school together, though never knew it. After this meeting, a relationship began to develop, and after dating for 3 years and both finishing their degrees, Steve and Laura were married on August 6th, 1983.
Out of college, Steve started his lifelong career working at GE Medical Systems as a Field Service Engineer which helped support his and Laura’s wonderful family. They were dedicated to raising a Godly family and faithfully nurtured their eight children together.
One of the ways that he enjoyed investing in his children’s lives was to encourage and provide opportunities for them in music. You might say he lived out his love for music through them, to which each of his children would testify. He allowed each of them to have music lessons in multiple instruments and gave them plenty of opportunities to share their music with others.
Steve was a people person. No one can deny that. He had an infectious smile and lively sense of humor which made it hard for those around him not to end up with a smile on their face as well. His interest in everyone he met came through in every encounter. He enjoyed having deep conversations with his friends and loved ones about life and faith. His family can tell you they were the last to leave events many times because Dad was still talking with and spending time with people. He showed interest in all people regardless of background or walks of life. He sought to understand and had a genuine curiosity about the paths each person was on, gleaning from their experiences what he could.
He loved to talk about his faith and grow and learn from those who were spiritual shepherds and comrades. He loved God and wanted to please him with his life in every way possible. He never stopped learning and seeking to live a life that would be honoring to Christ. Steve was a member of Fairview Christian Church of Carthage, Missouri where he was actively and enthusiastically involved in groups and classes. Here, Steve developed many strong relationships which he cherished deeply and left a mark on.
Steve was interested in cycling which included instructing spin classes at the local YMCA in Carthage, Missouri. Steve loved finding a good deal. He enjoyed researching the ins and outs of things to make sure he got the best quality for the best price. Music moved Steve. He had an ear and deep appreciation for the intricacies of the songs he loved, always pointing out well-done melodies and harmonies, wanting others to share in his joy. In particular, Bluegrass music and songs with a strong theological message were those that he connected with the most. And to the surprise of most, even his family, Steve was also a closet sentimentalist. From notes to boutonnieres to carwash tokens, Steve would keep items connected to moments and gestures that held a special place in his heart. Most of the items he kept were given to him by his children.
In his passing, Steve’s faith is made complete, leaving this imperfect, broken life behind. The joy he now knows is beyond what those still here can comprehend. While the hearts of his family and friends may be broken to say goodbye to him in this life, they can look forward to seeing him again in all the glory of Heaven.
Following a private family burial, a memorial service will be held at Fairview Christian Church, 2320 Grand Avenue, Carthage, MO, 64836, on September 18th at 4:00 pm.