Milton "Steve" Stephenson Jones

Steve Jones

Milton Stephenson (Steve) Jones died on October 3, 2024, after a fierce fight with cancer. He was born on October 15, 1948, in Washington, DC, at Walter Reed Army Hospital, to Colonel Alan W. Jones, Jr. and Lillian McGaw Jones, joining his older sister, Anna and his brother, Alan. He grew up on army bases around the United States. His favorite homes were in Hawaii and at the West Point Military Academy, where his father was a teacher. 

Always a strong student, Steve graduated from Tufts University in 1970, with a degree in philosophy. After college, he bucked the military tradition of his parents and grandparents, and formally declared himself as a conscientious objector. He made his way to northern Washington state, nine miles from the Canadian border, where his daughter, Firelin, was born in a teepee. Ultimately, he relocated to Oregon, where he owned a 160-acre working ranch with cattle and timber. He also fought forest fires one summer. 

In 1980, Steve started his career as a financial advisor/stockbroker. As a neophyte, he was proud to have built his business from the ground-up, beginning by going door-to-door to meet potential clients. As his client list grew, he joined Dain Bosworth. In 1982, he was one of the original founders of RBC Wealth Management in its Eugene branch. For decades, he was dedicated to aligning investments with values and responsibility, and he worked tirelessly to serve his clients, many of whom became lifelong friends.

Steve and his life partner, Kay Hayford, enjoyed travel, hiking, exploring national parks, and fine food. They were avid wine enthusiasts, especially savoring the wine from the Willamette Valley. He was an accomplished gardener and landscaper, as well as a supporter of University of Oregon athletics. Steve had a love for language and was a fine conversationalist, a poet, a reader, and a singer with a beautiful voice.

Steve also had an interest in genealogy, and he was fascinated to learn that one of his ancestors arrived in 1844 at a Lewis and Clark campsite in what is now the Dalles, on the second pioneer wagon train to travel the Oregon Trail, making Steve a true son of Oregon. Shortly after he moved to Eugene, Steve also learned that another ancestor, Henry Clay Jenkins, an itinerant preacher, is buried nearby in Harrisburg, 

Steve was non-judgmental, constantly curious, had a contagious laugh, and was a sweet, kind, and gentle man, with strong integrity. These qualities guided his personal life as well as being central to his professional life. 

He is survived by his loving partner Kay Hayford, his brother Alan, his daughter Firelin, his stepson Cheyne Brown, his stepdaughter Natalie Gullish, his nephew Alan Haines, many cousins, and a multitude of dear friends.

Steve was a passionate conservationist and philanthropist, contributing to organizations around the state. He also supported the arts and served on the boards of the Wetlands Conservancy of Oregon and the Mt. Pisgah Arboretum. Since Steve was utterly passionate about preserving wild Oregon spaces and restoring natural habitats, you may honor this good man by sending donations in his name to the Oregon Community Foundation.  

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday November 1st, 2024 at 4:00pm at The Eugene Country Club.