My grandfather, Wilburn Norwood Jonas, had an older brother named Joseph Herbert Jonas (1917-1993).  I don’t have any memories of Uncle Joe, except his funeral, although I remember hearing stories about him.  Uncle Joe married Hilma Grace Erickson (1918-2000).  I also do not remember Aunt Hilma.  Again, I heard the stories, and also about nearly all their children.

Joe and Hilma Jonas younger

Joe and Hilma had 7 children, Joseph Leland (1937-alive), Hilma Maxine (1938-2002), Earl Reed (1944-1988), Nancy Lee (1946-alive), Evelyn (1948-2017), Ellen Lynn (1951-alive), and Helen (1956-alive).  I mentioned above that I remember his funeral.  I remember it being at Myers Mortuary on Washington Avenue, almost North Ogden, Utah.  I remember the line for the viewing, my mother’s shoes and jeans, and sitting in the outskirts of the chapel to the northeast.  There, for the first time in my life, I was haunted by the strains of O My Father.  First time I ever heard the song and it penetrated my soul.  So much that I wanted to learn it more.  My Grandmother, Colleen, a short time afterward showed me it in her old Richmond, Utah hymnal.  I taught myself how to play it and the words to the song.

Joe & Hilma Jonas older

As those who know me know, I do a little family history.  I had reached out and got to know Joseph Leland Jonas’ daughter Debra.  I had e-mailed some of Lee’s other children.  But I had never met any of them that I recalled.  Lee lived in Yakima, Washington.  I had taken a job in 2008 working in the northwest for Inland Environmental.  I was going to be in the Yakima area working and so I made a few phone calls.  Lee suggested I call his daughter, Stacey, who lived in Moxee not far from them.  I called her up to visit with her and told her I was going to be in the area.  She not only insisted that I visit, but also that I stay at her house.

I got to know this second cousin of mine on that occasion.  We chatted, talked about family history, she took me to visit her parents, I met her family, and had a great experience getting to know each other.  It wasn’t planned, but she had quite a few questions about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In the course of the night, we covered nearly every single topic in all the six missionary discussions.  I gave her a copy of the Book of Mormon and some other pamphlets.

The next morning we talked some and we separated our ways.  I went on with work and eventually to law school.  She had some marital issues and normal life.  Then I found out she was attending law school in Mesa, Arizona.  We stayed more in touch.  Then one day, we were talking on the phone and she dropped a bombshell for me.  She asked me to baptize her a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!  I told her I would be thrilled and honored to do it.

Stacey Jonas and Paul Ross, Mesa, Arizona

These are pictures from the day she was baptized.  We orchestrated it so I could fly down and attend the baptism and confirmation over the course of the weekend of June 25-27, 2016, in her home of Mesa.  Once again, she insisted I could stay with her rather than finding a place to stay.

Stacey Jonas, Paul Ross at her baptism in 2016

It was a great weekend.  She also let me steal her car and I made a trip over to the Mesa Arizona Temple.  I made sure to snap a picture while I was there.  Unfortunately you see some of the reflection of the console in the window of Stacey’s car, fun little Jaguar!

Mesa Arizona Temple, 25 June 2016

Stacey later attended the Gilbert Arizona Temple to receive her endowments!  Not surprised that she did it, but surprised that I could say I helped her in some small part along the way.

Stacey Jonas and her friend Melanie Walker attending the temple

It is remarkable the bond and friendship I have built with Stacey since we first met, that I recall, in 2008.  She has visited us here in Idaho since, some day we will have to make it back her direction to visit again.  I am grateful that I could help her in her spiritual growth and striving since we first met as well.  In some ways I felt bad we stayed up late that night conversing.  I don’t know how much actually links to that night, but I feel a deep sense of appreciation for Stacey and the kinship that we feel, both since we are related, and also spiritually.

I am also aware that I am posting this on 6 September 2020.  The 104th anniversary of Lillian Coley and Joseph Nelson Jonas.  A date that has held happiness and sorrow for the Jonas family.  I can only imagine they are pleased that their Great Grandchildren are associating and helping each other improve.