Jeff Kirk Jones

“He was born in the summer of his 27th year

Coming home to a place he’d never been before

He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again

You might say he found a key for every door”

-John Denver

We are sad to say goodbye to Jeff Kirk Jones. He passed away on July 31, 2024, at the age of 64.

Jeffie was born on March 31st, 1960, in Salt Lake City, to James Jeff Jones and Helga Elfriede Jones. After living there several years, the family then moved to Knoxville TN. and then to Spokane WA. It was during this time period that Jeff started his athletic life. He loved playing sports, especially basketball. He and his two sisters learned to ski on Mt. Spokane. The family then moved to Hailey, where Jeff’s father and grandfather had been born. Jeff excelled at basketball and football in both junior high and high school, earning numerous trophies and awards. In 1978, he was the third generation Jones to graduate from Wood River High School/Hailey High.

Jeff then went to Moscow and attended the University of Idaho where he earned a degree in photography, which became his lifelong passion. He returned to Hailey, and soon moved to Jackson Hole, WY, where he and his then girlfriend Michelle and her two children, Bret and Brittany, enjoyed the wildlife, scenery, and recreation for 7 years. Eventually he returned to his beloved Wood River Valley, where he worked as produce manager at Atkinson’s in Ketchum for many years.

Throughout his life, Jeffie enjoyed many adventures with family and friends, including becoming an expert skier on Baldy, backpacking, playing basketball, camping, mountain climbing, hiking, fishing (always catch and release), epic family Trivial Pursuit games-with him alone against the world and usually winning; photography, and traveling the rough roads in his various jeeps. He loved Idaho, Jackson Hole, Yellowstone National Park, and Hailey most of all. Jeff happily lived his life, despite facing numerous health challenges, including cancer. His motto was “Never surrender, never give up.”

He was preceded in death by his mother, Helga; his two brothers-in-law Jeff Lyttle and Chuck Archer; and grandparents. He leaves behind children Bret Hall and Brittany Williams; his father, James Jeff Jones; his sisters, Karin Lyttle and Sherry Archer; aunt Shirley Wride and family; his niece Amy Rivkin, husband Ben and their children Archer and Miles; nephew Jed Lyttle, wife Kate, their son Wyatt; special soul friend Dayana; and Loki the cat.

Jeff was a friend to everyone and will be deeply missed. His passing leaves a huge hole in our lives, but we know he is free. Any donations may be made to Mountain Humane. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.