St. George, Utah - Merlyn Paul Jones, Sr. passed away peacefully at his home on August 25, 2014 due to age-related illness. Born on January 20, 1927 to Walter and Nellie Jones, he grew up in the Salt Lake City area. As a young man he accepted a call to serve for two years in the Northern States Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon returning from his mission, he married his sweetheart, Rosemary Wright, on September 21, 1949. They became the parents of eight faithful children. Later in life, Merlyn and Rosemary served four missions together for the Church.

Merlyn had a passion for gospel scholarship and was an avid defender of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. He also loved a wide variety of good music and performed solos in his strong tenor voice. He loved truth and prized the gospel, his children and his wife above all else.

Merlyn was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, and one brother. He is survived by his wife, Rosemary; his brother, Donald; his children: Sandra Lyn (Charles Nobel Skip ) Name; M. Paul Jones, Jr.; Creed Richard (Renel Bloomquist) Jones; Valiant Kent (Lori Ransom) Jones; Anne Marie (Barton Stuart) Sloat; Christine (Chad Harvey) Cole; Maurice DeLon (Patrice Lundell) Jones; Wesley Cleeo (Ruth Patterson) Jones; 53 grandchildren; and 81 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 30, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the Snow Canyon LDS 13 ^th Ward Chapel, 1610 North Dixie Downs, St. George, Utah. Visitations will be held Friday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Metcalf Mortuary, 288 West St. George Blvd. and on Saturday, prior to services, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Chapel. Interment will be in Tonaquint Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Mortuary, 435-673-4221.

Memorials may be made to the Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.