Steve Jones

Steven Lee Jones, 67, of Rigby, Idaho, passed away May 11, 2024.

Steve was born May 26, 1956, in Ogden, Utah, to Elwin and Jana Lee Jones. The family lived in Thatcher, Utah, before moving to Malad, Idaho.

Steve spent most of his childhood in Thatcher, Utah, where he spent his days riding the hills and canal banks on his horse with his brothers who were his very best friends. When he was in grade school, Steve did not like being in school and would often just leave and walk home. One day his teacher saw him walking and gave him a ride home because it was a five-mile walk.

Steve graduated from Malad High School in 1974. He participated in football and loved that he was able to be on the varsity team with his brother Doug. They left their mark when they both targeted the same player on the other team. One of them hit him high and the other hit him low, leaving him on the field with a broken leg. He was also on the rodeo team competing in bareback, saddle bronc, team roping, calf roping, bull dogging, and bull riding.

After high school, Steve continued participating in rodeo, but since his parents were no longer paying his entry fees, bull riding was his choice. He participated in the Eastern Idaho Rodeo Association (EIRA) and the Idaho Cowboys Association (ICA), along with rodeos that allowed him to work toward becoming a PRCA cowboy. He was the ICA bull riding Rookie of the Year in 1976.

Steve met the love of his life, Connie Groth in 1979. They were married on June 7, 1980, in Eureka, Nevada. Their marriage was solemnized in the Ogden, Utah LDS Temple on February 2, 1983. Their first date was driving to Cheyenne, Wyoming, to a permit bull riding. Steve was a little shy and not much was said between the two of them during the 24-hour round trip, but he did earn enough at the bull riding to “fill his permit” and his dream of becoming a PRCA cowboy. Steve rode bulls in the PRCA for a couple years and then decided he didn’t want to be that far from his little family and returned to the Eastern Idaho Rodeo Association (EIRA). The family traveled together to rodeos most every weekend during the summers until 1985. By this time they had three kids traveling with them and Steve decided it was time to pursue different interests.

Those interests came in the form of his career. Steve worked in the animal nutrition industry for most of his career. His work fulfilled his need for travel and competition. It was a competitive field that kept him away from home during the week a lot of the time. Even though his work kept him away, he worked hard to adjust his schedule to make it home for his boys’ weeknight football or basketball games. He took on the responsibility of putting the kids to bed when he was home on the weekends, and he did a much better job than mom did (mom’s words).

Steve was the ultimate cowboy and enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors, horse riding, camping, fishing, and hunting with his friends and family.

For several years, Steve put together a “Cowboy Camp” for his customers. This would take place in the mountains of his favorite place on earth, Stanley, Idaho. He would take them on trail rides and enjoy the surroundings. This would last for two weeks in the summer with two days set aside for “Milk and Cookies Camp” where customers could bring their kids or grandkids to a family-friendly environment. The “crazies” had to stay home during those days.

Steve and Connie brought four children into their marriage, Cody, Cassie, Shane, and Hailey. They were his most proud accomplishments, along with his 10 grandchildren.

In the last few years of his life, his favorite thing to do was to spend time with his grandchildren, Braxton, Paisley, Bailey, Bennett, Bronson, Hadlie, Brynlee, McCrae, Scarlett, and Nixon. They were the ultimate loves of his life, and they loved their Papa dearly.

He will be remembered by his unique sense of humor, kind heart, sweet smile, and his deep love for his family and friends. Steve will be missed by all who were blessed to know him.

Steve is survived by his sweetheart, Connie Jones; children, Cody Lee Jones, Cassie Jo Mickelsen, Shane Joseph Jones, and Hailey Ann Robison; sons-in-law, Lorin Mickelsen and Colby Robison; siblings, Susan Cluff, Doug (Kris) Jones, Scott (Kristine) Jones; and sister-in-law, Lori Jones.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elwin and Jana Lee Jones; father and mother-in-law, Everett and Verna Groth; and brother, Benjamin Farrell Jones.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Road. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the Brickyard Event Center, 1025 S. Ammon Road, and Saturday from 1-1:45 p.m. prior to services at the funeral home. Services will be broadcast live at www.woodfuneralhome.com. Burial will be in the Annis-Little Butte Cemetery.

In honor of Steve’s love of all things cowboy, all things cowboy (boots, hats, etc.) are welcome and encouraged.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.woodfuneralhome.com.