George Thomas Jones

G. “Tom” Jones passed away on November 1, 2024 from complications of dementia. 

Tom was born August 23, 1951 in Sedro-Woolley, Washington to Veterinarian, George “Bud” Jones and Judy Bingham Jones. He lived an idyllic young life in a small rural area with activities ranging from catching frogs at the swamp and building tunnels out of hay bales, to skiing, swimming, and riding horses. And always Tom dreamed of becoming an archaeologist.

After attending the University of Denver and Washington State University, he fulfilled his dream when he received his PhD in anthropology from the University of Washington in 1984. Along the way, he married Charlotte Beck, also an Archaeologist.

They became Professors of Anthropology at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York where both received many honors and published numerous scientific articles about the Paleoindian archaeology of Nevada’s Great Basin. In 2023, Tom and Charlotte received the lifetime achievement award for their work in the Great Basin. 

Following their retirement, they moved permanently to Santa Fe, New Mexico where they had spent many vacations and later, summers as part time residents. It was in early May this year that they moved to the Taos Enchanted Village. 

Tom leaves behind his lovely wife and research partner, Charlotte, sisters Julie Jones Anderson (Steve) and Jane Mar Thompson (Dirk) and nieces and nephew who loved and admired him. He was pre-deceased by his parents and youngest sister, Sally Flight (Frank) in 2000. 

Many thanks to the staff at Taos Enchanted Village, Caretaker, Lina Garcia Dominguez and Red Willow Hospice for their loving care. 

The family of G. “Tom” Jones has entrusted the care of their loved one to the caring staff of DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos. 866-657-4019 www.devargastaos.com