Donald Gene Jones

1936-2015

Donald Gene “Don” Jones was born on June 30, 1936 in Wichita, Kansas to Homer and Lucille Jones. The long time Southwest Valley resident died at 10:13 pm on December 8, 2015.

Don retired from Salt River Project on October 22, 1991 after 20 years of service. He had also worked at Douglas Aircraft (Boeing), Long Beach, California.  Additionally, he worked on the construction of the Alaska Pipeline and Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant in Pennsylvania.  He served four years in the United States Air Force.

Don was an avid bowler, hiker, runner, and exercise enthusiast. As a hiker Don was proud to have completed the challenging Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim hike with the Salt River Project Pera packers in 1986 at the age of 50.

Vacations at Roosevelt Lake were among his favorite times. He loved early morning walks with each of his five beloved Dobermans through some 40 years.  Lastly there is Oliver, the little Min-Pin who thinks he is a Doberman.  Oliver was his constant companion, protector and care partner.

Thursdays were special days for Don. He looked forward to joining his friends to work out with the Muhammad Ali Parkinson group at Skyway Church.  They were good friends and a constant source of support to him.

Don was preceded in death by his father Homer, mother Lucille and sister Betty. He is survived by his wife Peggy, son Daryl Hale, sister Barbara Weyrauch, brother- in-law Ted Spaugy, brother-in-law, Doyle (Dian) Thompson of Oklahoma City, OK, grandson Cory (Melynda) Hale, great-granddaughter Lillian and nieces and nephews.

Son Daryl was the “Man of the Year” for Don. Daryl came and sat with him every week and acted as companion, coach, confidante and general fixer upper.

Peggy recalls that, “Don was truly my Knight in Shining Armor! He wasn’t clad in shiny metal or riding a white horse when I first saw him as a next door neighbor in Long Beach, California.   Instead, he was driving a hot, white 1967 Pontiac GTO, wearing aviator sun glasses and a bomber jacket.  He had beautiful blue eyes and a dashing smile.  And yes, he ‘rescued me’ right off my feet.”

Peggy and Don were married for 47 years. The couple exhibited the respect, love and joy of their relationship to all who knew them.

Don served on a number of boards and committees, including the Arizona Department of Transportation, Maricopa Workforce Connection, Tri City West Chamber of Commerce, etc., and most recently the Three Rivers Historical Society. He was also a member of Skyway Church in Goodyear, Arizona.

A graveside service will be held 10:00 am Friday, January 8, 2016 at Holy Cross Cemetery, 9925 W Thomas Road, Avondale, AZ 85392.  Memorials may be sent to Area Agency on Aging, 1366 E Thomas Road #108, Phoenix, AZ  85014 or Muhammed Ali Parkinson Center, 240 W Thomas Road, #301, Phoenix, AZ 85013