Hilda Pat Jones

Hilda P. (Pat) Jones, age 93, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, December 17, 2018, in Williamsburg, Mo. Pat and her late husband, Edward "Ted" Jones were instrumental is establishing the Katy Trail State Park, Ted and Pat Jones Confluence Point State Park, Pat Jones Pedestrian Bicycle Lane, Young Conservation Area and Prairie Fork Conservation Area, just to name a few. Pat's love for the outdoors started as a child on weekend adventures to what is now the Young Conservation Area. She graduated from the University of Missouri in 1950, with a degree focusing on soil science from the College of Agriculture. She and her husband continued their love for nature, the outdoors and ensuring people had wide open spaces to explore. She donated their farm to the Missouri Department of Conservation in 1997 and established partnerships with the School of Natural Resources at the University of Missouri and the Missouri Prairie Foundation. Pat's vision brought over 35 conservation organizations together to focus efforts on restoration of native habitats, conservation research, and her passion of youth conservation education and getting children into the outdoors. Pat loved to greet the school kids and say "Learn, Get Dirty and Have Fun." She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward D. Jones Jr.; her father, Truman Post Young; mother, Hilda Jamieson Young; brother, Truman Post Young II; and sister, Francis Curry. She is survived by one sister, Anne Lloyd; one sister-in-law, Ann Key; and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of life to be held at a later date in spring has yet to be determined. Donations can be made to: Friends of Ted and Pat Jones, Conservation Federation of Missouri, 728 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65101, http://www.confedmo.org/donate/ attn: Pat Jones OR Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, attn: Prairie Fork, P.O. Box 366, Jefferson City, MO 65102. To make a donation by check or money order, please make it payable to Katy Trail State Park and send it to: Katy Trail State Park, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102. To make an online donation https://mostateparks.com/katytraildonations. Condolences may be left for the family at www.maupinfuneralhome.com.