Broadie Firmon Jones

Broadie Firmon Jones Jr., 87, passed away on Dec 2, 2015 in Payson, Utah at the Central Utah Veteran’s home.  While there, he was assisted daily by the most caring, considerate, conscientious people possible and treated as if he had won the war single handedly (smiley face) !

He was born April 9, 1928 in Ajo, Arizona to Broadie and Edna Jones.  (His dad was with the border patrol)  Broadie was raised as an only child as two brothers died in infancy.  He grew up in LaJolla California skin diving off the rocks at the cove and rabbit hunting in the hills above “a kid’s paradise”.  Broadie enlisted in the Navy at the start of the Korean War and trained as a radioman.  During a Navy leave visit to his aunt and uncle’s in Long Beach California, he saw the neighbor’s daughter (Dorothy Bliss) across the fence and started writing her during his 2nd tour of duty in the Korean War.  After 9 months he returned in June and he began his courtship.  The first date was to see the Lemon Drop Kid movie.  When they married on December 20, 1951, the silver bells song from that movie was very popular and it became one of “their” songs.

They were sealed in the St. George temple.  It should be noted here that Broadie had always been interested in religion even teaching Sunday school classes in the Methodist and Presbyterian churches in his teenage years.  He joined the LDS church December 1st 1951.  In January he returned to the war and was discharged in June.

They settled in Long Beach California where he apprenticed in the electricians program of the IBEW.  He also graduated from college with an industrial electrician degree in teaching.   He had a very special experience with being the only Mormon on the electrical crew during the construction of the LA temple.   He was thrilled to be able to talk with President David O MacKay on one of his visits to inspect the temple.

In February of  ‘62 he took his wife and 4 daughters to Western Samoa for 2 ½ years where he was in charge of maintenance for the schools housing etc. of the LDS church.  “A wonderful experience” Their first son was born there in 64.  Upon the death of his father they returned early to live in Long Beach until they moved to Mapleton in 68 to work at BYU.

One of his best jobs there was building inspector for the construction of the Marriot center.  In 72 Broadie went to work at the Utah State Prison and soon became Director of maintenance retiring after 11 years.

Broadie has 10 children (Rochelle died at infancy) Christine Possin (Jim), Laurie Madsen (Deceased in 2010) (Jay), Janae Krebs (Corey), Bonnie Fisk (Jeff), Mark (Yoshiko), Jay (Arin), Shauna Quist (Joe), Scott (Rachelle), Matt (Jennifer), 56 grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.

Probably Brodie’s longest and happiest times were his 50 plus years in the scouting program.  He was a Scoutmaster first and foremost whose troops earned awards twice as being among the top fifty in the church.  He went from Samoa to New Zealand for Wood Badge Training, helped start the scouting program in Western Samoa and received the Silver Beaver award.  Among his favorite books were books by Louis L’Amour.  A favorite poem he learned early in life was “IF” by Rudyard Kipling.  He challenged each grandchild to memorize that poem for a reward of 5 dollars.  Oh! and TRAINS, he loved trains!  He was so happy to be able to see one go by his window 2 or 3 times a day at the VA Center.

A private family graveside service will be held on Monday at the Springville Evergreen Cemetery.