Remembering Capitol tour guide Steve Jones

Steve Jones, a man with glasses and an orange shirt, is standing above the Legislative Building's Senate Room, which has a blue carpet with multiple small wooden desks facing a large wooden desk in the front of the room.
Steve Jones. Photo courtesy of Steve's child Elby Jones.

Steve volunteered for seven years as a tour guide with the Capitol Visitor Services program. Before that, he worked in the state Legislature for 40 years.

The state Capitol lost a longtime friend last month, when Steve Jones suffered a cardiac event while on a biking trip in Italy.

Friends and former colleagues fondly recall his expertise in state budget and policy matters, and his eagerness to help others learn. 

Weeks before his death, Steve described why he loved volunteering: 

“It’s a beautiful building with a rich, storied history. I can share my knowledge about the Legislature and state political history, and I can share a lot of information about our neoclassical Capitol. Families come in from every country in the world, every state in the union. They love seeing our beautiful capitol, and it’s fun sharing it with them.” 

A large group of young women with yellow dresses, white gloves, and tiaras standing in front of Steve Jones, an older man in glasses, in a room with marble floors and walls.
Steve leading Puyallup’s daffodil princesses on an annual tour of the Capitol building.

“Steve was often requested to lead tours,” said Rebecca Catlett, Visitor Services tour & informational services coordinator. “The daffodil princesses from Puyallup would come and tour the Capitol annually, and they repeatedly asked for Steve to be their guide, and this is one tour I know he looked forward to each year.” 

Visitor Services program assistant Jesse Morrow remembers that Steve “would thank us for all that we did” at the end of every shift.

“He was genuine every time he said it,” Jesse said. “I got the feeling that he had real respect for what everybody brought to the table.”

Steve’s memorial took place Friday, Oct. 25, in the Legislative Building.

Join us in remembering Steve by browsing photos from his life or reading and contributing to remembrances.