Thomas Norman Jones

Thomas Norman Jones

September 13, 1970 - March 29, 2022

Tom passed away peacefully after a long battle with dementia complicated by pneumonia. He is survived by his sister, Sally Weber (Stan); his nephews, Travis, Bryce and Blain; niece, Krista Weber; his uncle Frank; aunt, Mickie; and cousins Doug, Gregg, and Scott Korek, Rita Davies (Dan), Don (Cathy), and Connie Jones. He is also survived by his guardian, Roberta Groff; and special friends, Judi Graff, Dana Tetz and Lane Berglind.

He is predeceased by his parents, Norman and Evelyn (Korek) Jones; sister, Lynne Maggs; grandparents, Dolly (Stan) Korek, and Bill Jones; aunts, Tess Korek, Jessie Boyle, and Muriel Jones; uncles, Irvin Korek and Bob Jones; niece, Lydia Weber; and cousin, Bill Boyle; Ray Groff, Tom’s joint guardian, is also deceased.

Tom was born in an era when many down syndrome children were placed in institutions at birth. Norm and Evelyn refused this choice saying they were going to raise him and find the best opportunities for him to have as normal a life as possible. They did just that. Extended family members, in particular Dolly and Frank Korek, Sally, and many extended family members on both sides of the family, and friends, like Faye Chinn helped to give him confidence, skills, and the love to make him the happy, fun loving, outgoing and loving Person he was. Despite his handicap Tom was very clever, and witty. He often surprised people with the surprising things he said and did.

While his parents were alive, they, his sister Sally, and other extended family members had regular family dinners where Tom was always the entertainer. He sang alone or with Karaoke, told jokes and stories. He loved these parties so much as did all the family. His parents got him involved in swimming and bowling, at the Calgary Winter Club where he started entering Special Olympic events. He continued these pursuits with his guardians, in bowling and floor hockey. He loved movies, country music, Hitmen hockey games, and events at the Calgary Petroleum Club with his sister Sally’s family. Tom loved to travel with his sister, Sally, and family and later with his guardians Ray and Roberta Groff. He visited Hawaii, St. Lucia, Mexico, and many States in the US. An Alaskan cruise with the “Gaithers” was especially enjoyable. As a child and young man, he spent much of his summers with his sister Sally and family in their summer home in British Columbia or at their farm. He was always a hit with the neighbours everywhere.

As part of finding the best education for Tom as he got older, Norm bought a house in Olds where he and Tom lived during the week so he could attend the Horizon School run by Roberta and Ray Groff. Thus began the relationship that led to his parents choosing them to be Tom’s Guardians.

Ray and Roberta got Tom involved in a special ministry they started in Mexico helping Down Syndrome individuals. They raised money and Tom gave an annual speech to the people there. He was very proud of this work and received the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee award for his work. Church was also important to Tom. Ray and Roberta also started a Friendship Group which met regularly for Tom and other friends which had activities that Tom enjoyed. As Tom’s health deteriorated, he was moved to a Scope Facility for his last eighteen months.

Tom was loved and well cared for by all his family, guardians, and caretakers and Tom brought joy to everyone who knew him.

Roberta and Jodi will host a Celebration of Tom’s Life on Friday, April 22 at 1:00  pm atCenter Street Church.

Sally will also host another Celebration of Tom’s Life, at a later date, with family and close family friends to share favorite memories of Tom.