Obituary of "Andy" John Andrew Owen Jones

On Thursday, September 12, 2019, John Andrew Owen Jones, loving husband and father of two children, passed away peacefully at the age of 79. Andrew Jones was born on February 11, 1940 in Cardigan, Ceredigion (Wales) and was raised in a Welsh speaking farming community. He attended school in the town of Cardigan and, as a youth, was involved in sport at all levels. In 1958, his athletic talents earned him the honour of running the baton with the Queen’s message for the Commonwealth Games. He attended the College of Physical Education in Cardiff, Wales and taught for four years in Oxford, England, prior to immigrating to Canada in 1967. As a life-long learner, he attended Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. After teaching in the Okanagan for a short time, Mr Jones tried his hand at mining for copper before taking a position in Yellowknife teaching at the Correctional Institute. Here, he sang with the Welsh choir, Nevar, a highlight being a command performance for the HRH Prince Charles. He met his wife and ‘stabilizing force’, Susan Jones (nee Kunetsky) in Yellowknife where they married in April 1972. The family relocated in 1977 to Stettler, Alberta where Mr Jones taught at Wm E. Hay. He continued his own education taking a Master's Degree in Education at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, and served as local ATA president in 1983. He pioneered and was principal of the Outreach School and enjoyed his time there for seven years prior to retiring. Mr Jones was called out of retirement for a period of time and further enjoyed his work with youth. His ability to help others see the very best in themselves in combination with his gentle and good-humoured approach made him an educator to be admired. Always active in the community, Andrew Jones was initiated to the Masonic Temple on January 18, 1996; passed on February 15, 1996; raised March 21, 1996. He served as the Master of Apollo Lodge for 2003-2004. Andrew Jones was an active Shriner and also a 32-degree Scottish Rite Mason. He enjoyed taking part in the Welsh Societies of Edmonton and Calgary, reading and teaching Welsh with friends and listening to Welsh music. He often travelled back to Wales and is fondly remembered there. Mr John Andrew Owen Jones is survived by Susan, his loving wife of 47 years, their son Ceri and his fiancée Elsa, their daughter Kathryn and grandchildren Ellie and Owen, his favourite cousin Susan, cousin David, cousin Jon, brother-in-law George (Marilyn), sister-in-law Jean and numerous relations, nieces & nephews, and friends from Wales, Australia and Canada. He is predeceased by his parents, Captain John Owen-Jones and Muriel Stephen Jones, his sister Elizabeth and brother Huw. Celebration of Andy’s Life Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 2:00 P.M. Stettler Funeral Home, Stettler, Alberta Memorial donations are gratefully accepted to Red Deer Regional Health Foundation-I.C.U. or a charity of your choice.