Jonathon Ray Staples

Jonathon Ray Staples was born March 20, 1959, the fourth son and child of Mark Whitaker and Betty Whitehead Staples. Jon was, like each sibling, the favorite child of his parents. He was raised among six brothers and two sisters with faith, competition, love, loyalty and hope. He was taught he could accomplish anything he desired through work and knowledge. His parents taught him of Jesus Christ. He obtained a testimony of Jesus as the Son of God, and Savior of the world. His testimony is of the love of God and the atonement of Jesus Christ. He testified of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the prophet Joseph Smith. He followed the latter-day prophets. He knew the Book of Mormon was a second witness of Jesus as the Christ and desired to share that with the world, especially those that would listen. He enjoyed sharing the gospel in the Zurich, Switzerland mission.

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He loved his wife and companion, Denice Maurene Smith Staples. Their relationship was the foundation of all other activities. They raised a wonderful family of six children. Sarah Denice who married Matthew Harris, Jonathon Robert Winslow who married Lindsay Smith, Stephanie Celeste who married Ryan Portwood, Christopher Mark Samuel who married Cambria Morgan, Matthew Owen Rex, and Samantha Elizabeth who married Joshua Hill. The Staples lived in many geographical locations but resided and raised their family as well as served for a prolonged period in the community located in Sandy, Utah. He served in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a steward of young men, a Bishop and a member of the Stake Presidency of the Sandy, Utah Crescent Park Stake of Zion. He worked with the Special Needs Activity Program. He later served as a High Counselor and Bishop of the Crescent Park YSA Ward. He loved, nurtured and preached the establishment of Zion and a “Zion Neighborhood”.

Jon believed in education. He was educated at the University of Utah where he obtained a BA in finance and an EMBA. He experienced much education through life and challenges. He loved sports, competition, business, and the development of the individual. He enjoyed scouting, river rafting and piano recitals. He was considered as the “family interviewer”. He thought he was witty but most felt there were just “Jon-isms”. He extended the invitation to come unto Christ. He worked to provide for his family in various business organizations which he established. He has traveled and developed friendships throughout the world. He established a herd of cattle in Uruguay, his “Holy Cows” to support the missionary fund and missionary effort in Uruguay. He consumed less financial resources than he earned. He supported organizations that would help others out of poverty. He participated in investing, developing and nurturing activities that have blessed many people. He was blessed abundantly in every aspect of life. He felt he was able to go where he was called to go and do what he was asked to do with the support of God, his wife and family. He encouraged the positive use of moral agency to qualify oneself for service in the church and community.

He was survived by his wife, Denice; children: Sarah (Matthew), Robert (Lindsay), Stephanie (Ryan), Christopher (Cambria), Matthew, and Samantha (Joshua); grandchildren: Karlie, Capri, Abigail, Anniston, Roman, Brayden, William, Christian, Jane, Violet, Lucy, Mason, Marie, Emery; Siblings: Mark, Scott, Brent, Debbie, Lisa, Ben, Paul, and Richard.

A Viewing will be held on Friday, March 19th from 6 pm – 8 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens, 1950 East Dimple Dell Road (10600 South) Sandy, Utah. We invite all who would like to pay their respects to Jon. Covid restrictions will be in place please wear a mask and social distance. If you would like to share a memory of Jonathon Ray, please email jonstaplesmemories@gmail.com.

Funeral service for immediate family will be held on Saturday March 20th at 11 am at the Crescent Park Stake Center, 11350 S 1000 E Sandy, UT. The funeral will be streamed for all those who wish to watch. http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/events/sandyutahcrescentparkstake

He will be interred at the Larkin Sunset Gardens Cemetery in Sandy Utah.

Dedication of the Grave will be by Matthew Owen Rex Staples.