Family of missing man: 'He should know he's loved'
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SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. - Loved ones are concerned about an 80-year-old man with Alzheimer's disease who walked away from his care home and hasn't been seen since.
Ramon Jones, known as "Ray," was last seen Monday shortly before noon near a dog park in Sedro-Woolley.
He had been sitting at a picnic table, seemingly enjoying the day. Then, detectives believe he walked through an open gate at a nearby facility, where they lost his trail.
His family desperately hopes this is not the end to a man who lived a good life.
"He's a very loving, good person," says his wife, Anne Jones. She says her husband Ray has been the one constant in her entire adult life.
"I was 18. ... We've been married over 57 years," she says.
The Jones raised a family together, and Ray built up a Seattle construction supply business, then he retired early so they could travel.
"Its a wonderful life," says Anne.
But during recent years, Alzheimer's shackled Ray's mind in a tangle of memories.
"He was so trapped in his body, that ... there were still these moments of clarity when you knew it was dad, he was there. Then that door would close shut again. Oh my gosh, where'd he go? I want him back," says Ray and Anne's daughter, Bonnie Jones Graham.
Bonnie believes her father simply wanted to go for a walk last Monday, and presumably stepped through an unlocked gate. The tragic possibilities are horrific to consider.
"If he fell, he's injured - of course, Skagit River is a very frightening thought, but realistic thought, for us," says Bonnie.
Volunteers are searching throughout the Skagit Valley for Ray. His family thinks there's even a chance he caught a ride to his childhood home in Montana.
His daughter says her father often mentally traveled back in time.
"He was a great storyteller - telling stories the last time I saw him," she says.
The family says it would be heartbreaking to end Ray and Anne's love story this way.
"If this is the way his life story is ending, its not fair, its not right," says his granddaughter, Heidi Graham. "He should be surrounded by his family. He should know that he's loved and cared for."
His family says anyone who meets Ray wouldn't immediately detect that he had Alzheimer's, since he could hold a conversation well.
Meanwhile, detectives are urging people all over the Skagit Valley to check their barns and outbuildings - in case Ray may be hiding there.
Ramon Jones, known as "Ray," was last seen Monday shortly before noon near a dog park in Sedro-Woolley.
He had been sitting at a picnic table, seemingly enjoying the day. Then, detectives believe he walked through an open gate at a nearby facility, where they lost his trail.
His family desperately hopes this is not the end to a man who lived a good life.
"He's a very loving, good person," says his wife, Anne Jones. She says her husband Ray has been the one constant in her entire adult life.
"I was 18. ... We've been married over 57 years," she says.
The Jones raised a family together, and Ray built up a Seattle construction supply business, then he retired early so they could travel.
"Its a wonderful life," says Anne.
But during recent years, Alzheimer's shackled Ray's mind in a tangle of memories.
"He was so trapped in his body, that ... there were still these moments of clarity when you knew it was dad, he was there. Then that door would close shut again. Oh my gosh, where'd he go? I want him back," says Ray and Anne's daughter, Bonnie Jones Graham.
Bonnie believes her father simply wanted to go for a walk last Monday, and presumably stepped through an unlocked gate. The tragic possibilities are horrific to consider.
"If he fell, he's injured - of course, Skagit River is a very frightening thought, but realistic thought, for us," says Bonnie.
Volunteers are searching throughout the Skagit Valley for Ray. His family thinks there's even a chance he caught a ride to his childhood home in Montana.
His daughter says her father often mentally traveled back in time.
"He was a great storyteller - telling stories the last time I saw him," she says.
The family says it would be heartbreaking to end Ray and Anne's love story this way.
"If this is the way his life story is ending, its not fair, its not right," says his granddaughter, Heidi Graham. "He should be surrounded by his family. He should know that he's loved and cared for."
His family says anyone who meets Ray wouldn't immediately detect that he had Alzheimer's, since he could hold a conversation well.
Meanwhile, detectives are urging people all over the Skagit Valley to check their barns and outbuildings - in case Ray may be hiding there.
This story is so saddening. I've no doubt Mr. Jones is a wonderful and great man.. I can only imagine the worry and panic this family is feeling. My Dad is close to his age, and I'd be devastatated not knowing his whereabouts and mental state.
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Here's wishing a good outcome to this story. Keep your eyes open everyone. He may be closer than you think. Praying for his safe reunion.
"an 80 year old man with Alzheimer's disease who walked away from his care HOME...." Was this an Adult Family Home, or an assisted living facility with him living in the general population, not in a locked memory unit? The article is not specific.
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I work with many, many Adult Family Homes in King County. Most of them are excellent care facilities, but there is absolutely NO excuse for a demented resident to be able to walk away and disappear from an AFH or assisted living facility.There are a myriad of alarm systems available for wanderers.
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DSHS, who licenses these facilities, should be all over this case, and KOMO should be following up from this prospective. PROBLEM SOLVERS, here's a project for you!
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An Alzheimer's disease patient, depending upon the stage of the disease they are in, could very well find their way, far away, from a care home. My own grandmother, at the age of 82, found a way to hitch-hike. She was social, cute, funny, and delightful, and some sucker gave her a ride. Thankfully, she was found by a university campus police department. AND, thankfully, my mother was smart enough to have a contact tag on a chain around her neck, so she could be notified.Â
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I really hope Ray Jones is found safe and well, even if it is away from Sedro-Woolley. His dear wife and family deserve answers and an end to their turmoil. AND, they need to hold the care facility 100% accountable for his disappearance AND the consequences, which should be intolerable by DSHS.
 @Yadayada Birchview is a locked down facility for only those with memory issues and mainly Alzheimer's. Sadly, I'm not terribly surprised he was able to get out. I worked there for 6 months and was horrified by how understaffed I felt it was. Only one caregiver for every 8-10 residents during the day assuming everyone actually showed up for their shift. Only one caregiver per floor at night and a third person to float between the 2 floors. I sincerely hope he is found safe soon.
so sad. it has to be unbelievably tough for this family right now.
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 not being flippant, but my cat was missing for a few nights and i was beside myself - can't imagine the worry that is relentlessly on the minds of the family.
I keep checking back, hoping for some good news. The weather has been warm to mild, but it is turning colder. Here is hoping for the best.
I hope and pray that he is found ok. If missing Alzheimer's patients are not put out on the Amber Alert system, then they certainly should be. They are just as vulnerable as a child.Â
@achoo2  I like that idea. I wonder if it's ever been considered before. Not only are Alzheimer's patients as vulnerable as children, they are much more difficult to spot, since they don't stand out the way a small child (without an accompanying parent) would. Let's hope this man has one of his moments of clarity soon and finds his way home.
I have a feeling he will be found shortly, and he'll be fine. I can't imagine what this family is going through and i hope everything turns out okay. I'll keep you in my prayers.
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@Funky-Munky @Joaniess Were you there? Didn't think so. Caregivers at a Memory care center Are responsible! At the tune of $5000.00+ a month to care for humans such as Ray and others they Damn well should know! Ramon Jones is my former wife's uncle, the only Grandfather my children have known, as my parents and Bonnies Father passed before they could remember them. So let me know how about how good you are. Thomas K Graham
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