Troy Don Jones

Troy Don Jones, 51, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2018 at Kaseman Hospital Hospice Unit in Albuquerque, New Mexico after a courageous battle with cancer.     He is survived by his wife, Theresa, daughter, Bridget, son, Christopher, and granddaughter, Allison all of Las Vegas, New Mexico. His mother, Linda Jones of Ganado, brother Keith and his wife Kelli, nieces, Aspen and Juliet of Nocona, Texas, as well as several uncles, aunts, and cousins.     Troy Don is preceded in death by his father, Norman Jones of Ganado and grandparents Troy and Opal Jones, and Don and Wanda McDonald, all of Bowie, Texas.       Troy was born in Nocona and raised in Ganado, where he graduated high school. He excelled in multiple sports, including football and track & field, while also being National Honor Society, Industrial Arts President, Class President and Class Favorite. He received his Bachelor of Science from Sam Houston State University, Master of Science in Psychology from New Mexico Highlands University and Doctorate in Psychology from Florida Institute of Technology.       Troy was employed at New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute in Las Vegas, New Mexico from 1997 to 2016, beginning as a clinical psychologist and later serving as the Community Based Service Division Director and as the hospital administrator for eight years. Troy was deeply dedicated to providing quality services to the patients, clients and residents of NMBHI and also genuinely cared about the staff who provided these services.     He was recently employed as the Hospital Administrator at the Human Services in Yankton, South Dakota, where he continued to share his exceptional administrative and leadership skills.       Troy was an avid fisherman who fished "wherever there was water" and loved to shop at Bass Pro Shop. He enjoyed his time at Conchas Lake, a cabin in Colorado and off shore fishing in Texas, and even took up ice-fishing in South Dakota. He also enjoyed snowmobiling, playing video games, poker games and the occasional trip to the casino. Troy never met a person he didn't like and was well loved and respected by many friends, co-workers and family.       Troy's family wishes to thank all those who supported him and them in so many ways during his illness.     The family suggest that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to NMBHI Patient Foundation C/O Lisa Apodaca, 3695 Hot Springs Blvd., Las Vegas, NM 87701.       There will be a Celebration of Life Service at the First Baptist Church in Ganado on Saturday, March 31, at 10 a.m. with Pastor Mark Dean and Ryan Carpenter officiating. There will be a reception to follow at the KJT Hall in Ganado.       Services have been assisted by Russell Todish of Ganado Funeral Home, 361-771-2120.