Tom Strachan Jones

Tom Jones died peacefully of

natural causes on June 3, 2009,

with family at his side in his

home in Mission Viejo. Born in

Vancouver, Canada, on February

3, 1909, his family migrated to

southern California when Tom

was a teenager. Tom became

a proud naturalized American

citizen as a young man. Tom’s

father and mother, Hugh Strachan

Jones and Florence Rigmaiden

Jones (both born in England), lived well into their 90’s.

Tom’s sister, Nora Wilson, passed away many years ago,

while his other sister, Muriel Buckley, is a spry 98.

In 1935 Tom married lovely Burness (Bobs) Hess and

they raised three children (Roy Jones, Timothy Jones and

Gail Ramsey) in a home a few blocks from his employer,

Walt Disney Company in Burbank. A plumber by trade,

he was an Assistant Construction Manager, where he

was involved in the construction of the Burbank studios

in 1938. Hard working and loyal to Walt Disney, Tom’s

other projects included “2000 Leagues under the Sea”

in 1954; the Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean

in Disneyland; the Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley in

1960; and numerous other projects until his retirement in

1976.

At last, Tom had time for his favorite hobby, deep sea

fishing. He especially enjoyed fishing in Mazatlan,

Mexico, and made annual trips for years. His wife, sons

and sister often accompanied him. Tom loved anything

involving water and he and Bobs took many cruises,

including Alaska, Hawaii and the Panama Canal. Tom

missed his devoted wife, who passed away in 1996.

Together, they lived a full life.

Family, dear friends and his Casta del Sol neighbors

celebrated Tom’s 100

th birthday in February. More than

60 attended this joyous occasion, including guests from

Washington, northern California, Los Angeles, San Diego

and Mexico. Tom had a wonderful time and this event is a

memory his loved ones will always cherish.

Tom’s children, their spouses, four grandchildren, their

spouses, six great grandchildren, cousins, numerous

nephews, nieces and friends frequently phoned or visited

him. He was an avid reader and his conversations were

informative, lively, and always accompanied by his keen

sense of humor. He was affectionately called “Papa” by his

grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were lucky

to have him in their life. Services were held at Forest

Lawn in Burbank, where his grandsons, Tom Ramsey

and Timothy Jones, delivered a moving tribute to their

grandfather.