He was born on November 22, 1954, to De Nelson and Clayre Elgin Jones in Fort Worth, Texas.
Mike grew up in Colorado and finished high school in Tolleson, Arizona. He graduated from Tolleson Union High School in 1973 and attended Brigham Young University before serving a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fukuoka, Japan. Upon his return he married his sweetheart, Sheryl Kay Kempton, and completed his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Arizona State University in 1980. He later earned a master's degree in civil engineering from ASU while supporting his young family.
Mike and Sheryl were married July 10, 1976 at the Mesa, Arizona temple and they had 4 children.
Mike's love of aeronautics started young when he earned his pilot's license at the age of 18. He worked as a stress engineer for Boeing in Everett, Washington and Mesa, Arizona. Mike loved his work on both planes and helicopters and earned several awards and registered a patent for his aeronautical materials design. After 35 years with Boeing he retired in 2014 to serve a mission with his wife for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mike and Sheryl loved their time as missionaries in Tokyo, Japan from 2014 to 2016.
Mike loved to cook and create in the kitchen and loved to feed friends and family. He was a gadget and gizmo enthusiast and proudly referred to himself as Grandpa Gadget.
Mike is survived by his lovely wife, Sheryl, 3 daughters and 1 son, 14 grandchildren and 2 brothers and 1 sister.
He was preceded in death by his parents, De and Clayre Jones and his brothers, David Jones and James Jones.
Visitation will be 8:00 am Saturday, November 27 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
6655 E Preston Street
Mesa, AZ 85215
Funeral services will immediately follow, beginning at 9:00 am.
Internment will take place at 11:00 am at Mariposa Gardens
400 S Power Road
Mesa, AZ 85206
Luncheon for all family and close friends returning to the church beginning at 11:45 am.
A live stream of services will be available for virtual attendees:
https://zoom.us/j/99704697398?pwd=MkFndTZNTzlEWm5odG1mdFJaNXpkZz09
Meeting ID: 997 0469 7398
Passcode: 502913
