Paul Anthony Jones

Paul Anthony Jones, age 82, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2025, at his home in St. George, Utah. Born in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on February 10, 1943, to Louis and Verona Jones, Paul lived a life full of faith, humor, and devotion to family.

A proud graduate of Rigby High School, Paul went on to attend Ricks College, where he served as a student body officer. He later studied history at Brigham Young University with plans to become a church seminary instructor. However, a life-changing summer job at Kentucky Fried Chicken in 1968 led to an opportunity to open a Harmon Management franchised store in Logan, Utah, on July 20, 1969 – the same day as Neil Armstrong’s historic walk on the moon. Thus began a successful career with KFC that spanned multiple decades and locations. Paul managed stores in Utah, Colorado, and California, eventually rising to the roles of District Manager and Regional Director.

As a high school senior, Paul fell in love with Bonnie Kathleen Ball. They were married on June 4, 1965, in the Idaho Falls Temple. Together, they built a large family in a loving home until Bonnie’s sudden passing from cancer in 1987. On January 16, 1990, Paul married Lori Hamblin, and their blended family now totaled 12 children – his eight and her four. Paul and Lori were later sealed in the New Zealand Temple. Their life together was filled with love, adventure, laughter, grandchildren, and their beloved dogs.

Paul lived a life of deep faith, serving in many callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a young man he served a two-year mission in the Southwest Indian mission, where he spent most of his time on the Navajo Reservation and grew to love the people he served. Later, he and his wife Lori served two service missions in the St. George area.

Known for his love of adventure and fun, Paul found joy in sports cars, boating, skiing, and lively card games. Preserving family memories was another passion, usually captured through his many video recordings. He always had a glint in his eye and a knack for sharing a good joke or story – including the one about being shot in the eye with a shotgun pellet as a youth.

Paul is survived by his beloved wife Lori; his children Michael (Sarah) Jones, Roger (Maria) Jones, David (Lisa) Jones, Suzanne (Scott) Draper, Jen Bryant, Nathan (Heather) Jones, Melanie Twitty, Jeanette (Kenton) Anderson, Erick (Liz) Petersen, Kathleen (Chris) Thompson, Marie (Drew) Harris, and Chris Petersen; 55 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren, with 4 more on the way; his brother John; sisters Sandra and Mary; and many extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, August 30, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at 625 East Center St. in Ivins, Utah, followed by funeral services at 4:00 p.m. Graveside services will take place on Monday, September 1, 2025 at 10:00 am at the Lewisville Cemetery in Lewisville, Idaho. 

Funeral services may be viewed by clicking the livestream below.