Raymond Lee Jones, surrounded by his wife, children, daughter-in-law and son-in-law, passed peacefully from this life to the next on July 4, 2025, due to complications from a long battle with cancer.

Raymond was born on June 24, 1952, in Roswell, New Mexico to Patsy and Bill Jones. He later moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. His formative years were spent on his family’s ranch, riding horses, and growing into the cowboy lifestyle that he enjoyed all his years.

He graduated from Manzano High School in Albuquerque, NM in 1970. He married and had a son Derek Jones. They lived in Golden, Colorado, and he drove over the road for his family's trucking company. They then sold the company and moved to Santa Barbara, CA where his family bought a Charter Boat company and was a guide for fishing on the Islands. He divorced his first wife, and they gave up the charter business. He found employment with Hall Surgical as a quality control engineer who later became QC Supervisor.

It was in Santa Barbara during this time where fate would ensure he met the love of his life, Patricia (Trish) White, in a bowling league in 1984.

Ray knew immediately and irrevocably that Trish was going to be his wife. He always said that he knew from the first smile and hello that he was going to do whatever it took to win her heart. If you knew Ray, you knew that he could accomplish any task that he set his mind to, and this case was no different. After courting the love of his life with motorcycle rides, trips to the ocean, time in bowling leagues, and watching sunsets, they were married in 1986.

He always wanted a sister but had two brothers. When he married Trish, he gained seven sisters and three more brothers who he dearly loved, and they loved him. Their love continued to grow as they welcomed their first child, Amanda, followed by sons Cory and Tyler.

Ray and Trish moved their family to Rapid City, SD in 1995 where he worked for Hubbard Mills, Coca-Cola, and Perdue trucking. In 1999, he joined the Pennington County Sheriff's Office followed by security for Regional Hospital. He started truck driving again and retired in June of 2022. After all the “honey do lists” were completed, he ran out of things to do at home while Trish was working and returned to work part time for Fleet Farm.

He was very involved in his children's and grandchildren’s sports. Ray sat on boards, helped coach, umpired and cheered them on whether it was softball, baseball, wrestling, football, volleyball, skateboarding, or whatever sport they were in at the time. He was their biggest fan.

The only thing he loved as much as his wife and family was the feeling of speed and freedom on his motorcycle. He was still riding when most bikes had already been put up for the season.

A warrior through and through, Ray fought cancer for years. He was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma in 2000. Though the diagnosis was grim, Ray fought with tenacity for his family and lived 25 more years, earning his way into medical books and making sure he was there for his beloved wife and children.

Ray is preceded in death by his father Bill Jones, and mother Patsy Jean Strong. Best friend Rick Housey and many beloved family members.

He is survived by his wife Patricia (Trish) Jones, son Derek Jones (Alicia Jones), daughter Amanda Benedict (John Benedict), son Cory Jones, son Tyler Jones (Chrissy Jones), 11 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild and one on the way. Brother Mike Jones, Jim Jones.