Our beautiful Arlene Rae Jones Thomas, a member of the Bloomington 7th Ward since 2007 following her marriage to Jess M. Thomas, passed into eternity in the early evening of Thursday, August 12, 2021 at the Washington State home of her daughter. She will truly be missed as she was not only a friend to all, but also a "gatherer" welcoming everyone into her circle of love.
Born in Hagerman, ID in January 1937, Arlene attended high school in The Dalles, OR where she was popular among her classmates, active in booster club, school leadership and was a majorette in the drum and bugle corps.
In 1955, she married Danny Owens Jones (who proceeded her in death). Together, as hairdressers and teachers of cosmetology, they founded the Astoria Beauty College in 1965, which went on to become nationally accredited. Arlene had a passion for education and took great pride in the successes of her students, the majority of salon owners in Astoria and Clatsop County having received their education at Astoria Beauty College.
During 43 years in business, she received many awards and honors. She was a past president of the Oregon Hairdressers Association, served on the boards of the Oregon Cosmetology Association, Oregon Department of Education and the Oregon Health Authority Board of Cosmetology. She would go on to create the curriculum used today in nearly all Oregon beauty colleges and had the honor to be inducted into the Oregon Hairdressers Hall of Fame.
At the same time, she was always active in her community. She belonged to Zonta (an international service organization which advocates for women's rights for equality, education and an end to child marriage and gender-based violence) and Toastmasters, all while serving in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
For all the differences she made in the lives of those around her, she considered her greatest accomplishment to be rearing her grandson Drew Jones.
After Arlene and Jess moved to St. George, she continued to find joy in serving family and friends. She joined the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and was an enthusiastic leader of the Relief Society Book Club, while she also followed her passions of reading, health and nutrition.
Here are "Ways to show love, as Arlene saw it"
* Always respect others feelings and opinions
* Go the extra mile to help others. Be giving.
* Be a good listener. Be attentive.
* Show empathy for others.
* Always give praise and say thank you
* Serve with a smile
* Look for reasons to compliment
* Find those things people are doing right
* Speak kind words to each other
* Be patient
She is survived by two sisters and a brother. She also leaves behind three children Scott G. (Margaret) Jones, Marcy L. Goss, and Danene M. (David) Lethin and 8 grandchildren. She will also be missed by Jess’s six children, 25 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Members of the ward as well as her neighbors and friends at the Vintage have been blessed to share a part of her life here on earth. Please also know Jess's family assures us, "we will take very good care of Dad."
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