Edward Morris Jones

In fond remembrance of Edward (Ed) Jones, who died May 22, 2023, at home in Eldorado, Santa Fe, New Mexico, of cardiorespiratory arrest, in his 89th year.  Only seven months earlier, on Oct. 8, 2022, Ed suffered the grievous loss of Star Romer Jones, his beloved wife of 63 years.

Born June 14, 1934 in Utica, NY, Ed’s early life was marred by abandonment, abuse and poverty.  Through inner strength, keen intelligence, and hard work, Ed earned a B.A. (psychology) from Rutgers University (1957) and an M.A. (education) from N.Y. University (1963). 

Ed met Star when they both taught Sunday school; they were married August 16, 1959 in Suffern, NY.  Initially, Ed studied for the ministry but realized that his calling was in teaching, child psychology and child and family therapy.  His first teaching jobs were in New Jersey and Florida.

Ed and Star first visited Dawson City, Yukon, Canada in 1962. This remarkable gold rush town stole their hearts and they returned to live and work there, and for 35 summers, to serve as heritage preservation volunteers. 

In 1963, they purchased Sisters’ Island on the Yukon River.  Through their “Yukon Queen River Tours” they shared their wilderness retreat with thousands of tourists who, after a river voyage narrated by Ed, toured the museum he had Star established on the Island. Near the island in 1966, Ed and Star saved two men from drowning.

Ed taught high school in both Whitehorse and Dawson City.   In the USA, Ed had an extensive career in educational program development and administration.  He excelled in many roles:  Director/language instructor of Manpower’s adult migrant program in Sarasota, Fl., program director for Head Start in Artesia, N.M., southwestern USA field leadership training specialist for the Child Study Association of America, regional teacher training director for Alaska Methodist University, and child and family therapist for the Oklahoma State Health Department. 

In 1972, Ed became state coordinator of in-service training/education for the N.M. Department of Education. In this role, his regional plan provided training for teachers, aides, and administrators.  Ever innovative and progressive, he developed a state departmental restructuring plan, a model language arts program, numerous training manuals, and was liaison between the department and school districts. Ed retired in 1991.

Ed was also editor of the educational journal, A Voice for Children, managed The Observatory, a Santa Fe book store, and contributed many columns and letters to The Santa Fe New Mexican.

In 1998, Ed and Star founded the Klondike History Library, a research centre at the Dawson City Museum.  They received Yukon heritage awards and in 2023 the museum’s Jones Gallery was named.  Ed and Star worked tirelessly to document and preserve the eight cemeteries of Dawson City, developed a database of deaths and burials in the Yukon, and placed numerous commemorative plaques. 

In 2005, their book, All that Glitters:  The Life and Times of Joe Ladue, Founder of Dawson City, was published.  Ed completed a comprehensive Yukon history reference book one month before his death. 

Ed was a gifted poet and genealogist.  He was unshakeably ethical, honest, compassionate, and humble. He battled depression and injustice. He read widely, gardened, was respectful of the natural world, and was a peace and climate change activist.  Over the years, Ed and Star rescued children, adults, and animals from horrible situations.  It is no overstatement to refer to Ed and Star Jones as absolutely the best of humanity.

Ed is survived by five nieces, six nephews, cousins, and cherished friends (including John Richthammer of Winnipeg, Canada).  Besides Star, Ed was predeceased by parents, Verna Pine Delano (1989), Gronowyn Morris Jones (1951), and siblings: infant boy (1933), Richard (2017), John (1974), and Shirley (2012). 

Memorial services were held in Santa Fe, July 7, 2023 and in Dawson City, July 19, 2024.  Ed and Star were interred in the Yukon Order of Pioneers Cemetery in Dawson.  For further information: [email protected]

Donations to The Heart and Soul Animal Shelter of Santa Fe would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you to all who helped in any way.