Rollan Wayne Jones, son of Clarence and Eulene, was born in the St. George, Utah, hospital on March 23, 1964. As is the way with all tiny humans, born into circumstances beyond their control, it would have been difficult to predict Wayne’s future life, his challenges and triumphs, the man he would become. Large of stature, Wayne left unmistakable footprints, large enough, fortunately, for others to place their feet into and follow one by one; but the most beautiful thing about people is not found in their measurements of apparel worn or the features visible to the eye; it’s in the depth and content of their character. And if it’s true that “the heart of a good man is the sanctuary of God in this world,” being loved by Wayne was a very safe place to be.
Simplistic, but with a substantial country-boy code of living, from his first cries of infancy his life played out a bit like a perfect Garth Brooks song. Wayne spent his first years in Orderville, Utah and later lived in Page, Arizona. Raised without a father until he was 6 years old, Wayne spent summers working and learning from grandparents – going to church on Sundays just so he could unlock the door to play hoops with his friends, and later recruited to play basketball at Brigham Young Hawaii. Wayne spent one year dunking the ball, until a burst appendix threw him off that course. He decided next to serve a mission as a representative for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and did this in Portland, Oregon. But in actuality, for Wayne, service was an everyday way of life.
Forever changed by the sight of his future wife Lise Ann Madsen, he could never accept second-best despite her best efforts to shake him; and on August 3, 1990, they were married in the St. George temple. Wayne devoted the rest of his life to creating an exceptional world for and with his wife and three kids. He served his church and community as bishop and worked hard, ever-lending a generous hand to those around him. He was clever, mischievous and extremely capable. Mechanics, cooking, riding horses, fishing, poaching, camping, throwing kids off of the tube on Lake Powell, and taking care of his babies were a few of his loves and hobbies. Intimidating of stature, his nieces and nephews looked up at him in awe and affectionately referred to him as Uncle Dwayne. He was a craftsman and carpenter; strong and ambitious, soft-spoken and humble; a true gentle giant and unwavering and unselfish provider of all that was good and necessary. As Wayne said it best, if he’d been blessed with a better singing voice, like Jim Reeves, he would’ve absolutely been the perfect man.
Wayne fought a valiant fight with cancer, but in the arms of his devoted family on September 10, 2023, his noble spirit was set free from earthly cares as a gentle rain fell, mourning his passing and paying tribute to a life well-lived. He is survived by his eternal companion Lise; exquisite daughters Tasha and Lindsay (Louis) and granddaughter Sailor; incredible son Jayce (Ashlend); loving parents Charlie and Eulene; and siblings Doreen, James, John, Bruce, Tony, James B. and Chris. Memorial services will be held at the LDS Stake Center in his former community of Page, Arizona, where he labored and lived for 30 years. Viewing at 10 a.m. with a service to follow at 11 a.m. (AZ time). “Letting go is hard, but being free is beautiful.” – Wilder.
Services were arranged with Mosdell Mortuary.
