Suzanne Jones

Suzanne Norton Jones, the consummate horse woman, rejoined her parents, brother and beloved daughter, Michelle, on December 5, 2015, following a short illness at the age of 91 years. She passed away peacefully in her sleep. A celebration of her life will be held at the New Mexico Military Institute Chapel, Roswell, New Mexico on December 14, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. Visitation will be at the chapel one hour before services commence. Interment will follow at South Park Cemetery and a reception will then be held at Christ’s Church, 2200 N. Sycamore Avenue, in Roswell. Born November 1, 1924, to Lt. Col. Anderson H. Norton and Audrey Norton in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a taste for high quality horsemanship, a desire to excel and a yearning to share her knowledge of horses, Suzanne spent her early years living the life of a Cavalry officer’s daughter. She grew up riding and spending her life with horses at various military posts. Following retirement from active duty, Col. Norton became the polo coach at NMMI and was inducted into the NMMI Hall of Fame in 1992. A graduate of Roswell High School, Suzanne attended Mary Washington College in Virginia and the University of Arizona, where she graduated with a degree in English and rode on the rodeo team. In addition to western riding and rodeo, Suzanne competed in prestigious hunter/jumper horse shows in Mexico, Canada, Europe and throughout the United States. At Madison Square Garden, she won first place in jumping in the Professional Horsemen Stake. She adorned the cover of the New Mexico Magazine in 1946 (with a horse, naturally) and was named to the United States Olympic Equestrian team. Highlights of her career included training a world-renown palomino named Nautical, which later became the basis of Walt Disney’s movie “The Horse With the Flying Tail”. In 1952, she met her mate for life while competing in an equestrian version of musical chairs at a rodeo, which she won, of course. In 1953, Suzanne married this racehorse minded, sheep and cattle rancher from Tatum, New Mexico, Punch Jones. Next was a different world - - a different game - - introducing the horse to their four children, each of which successfully competed on a national basis. Suzanne’s love and knowledge of horses was not limited to the show ring. The author of eight books and countless magazine articles, Suzanne also became an accomplished craftsman, fashioning gourds into jewelry, ornaments and belt buckles. She brought an untold number of children and other people into the horse world, utilizing her knowledge of the horse as a way to build mutual understanding and trust. In recognition of her unselfish contributions and her willingness to share her horse knowledge with young and old alike, the New Mexico State 4-H Horse School was renamed as the “Suzanne Norton Jones State 4-H Horse School”. Her accomplishments and contributions to the horse industry also resulted in her induction to the American Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame, the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, the New Mexico 4-H Hall of Fame, the Ruidoso Downs Racehorse Hall of Fame and the Lea County Hall of Fame. Suzanne was also honored with the title of Master Instructor by the American Riding Instructor Association. At a spry age of 80 Suzanne received the standing ovation of a sellout crowd while competing at the European Championships in Aachen, Germany. She was similarly honored while competing at the AQHA Select Championship Show in Amarillo, Texas, at the age of 89. Suzanne started showing horses at the age of four. She last rode horseback and was showing competitively at the age of 90. Suzanne is survived by the love of her life and husband of 62 years, Punch Jones, who continues to reside at the family ranch outside of Tatum. She is also survived by her daughter, Debbie Jones, also of Tatum, and her sons, Clabe Jones of Joseph, Utah and Dirk Jones of Roswell. Her beloved daughter, Michelle, predeceased her. She is also survived by Aja Palmer, Beverly Heird Flores, Josh Heird, Levie Jones, Portia Jones, Rebekah Jones, Chaundra Jones, July Jones, and Tara Jones, her grandchildren, none of whom escaped exposure to the horse world. Suzanne’s favorite saying was “Aim high - - shoot for the stars”. Her aim was true. She found her mark. Suzanne - your family, friends and the horse world tip their hat to you. Well done! In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack Chapel, c/o Chaplain Darrell Winter, PO Box 449, Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico 88346 or American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame, PO Box 200, Amarillo, Texas 79168. “The family would like to express their deep gratitude for the unparalleled love, care and comfort provided by the staff of Heartfelt Manor in Roswell in Suzanne’s final days.” Obituary lovingly written by her family. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and memories of Suzanne with her family in the online register at andersonbethany.com. Services are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

Suzanne Jones

November 1, 1924 - December 5, 2015