Tom was born May 6, 1930 to parents Thomas and Ruth (Valentine) Jones Sr. in Highland Park, Michigan. After graduating Lincoln High School in 1948, he served as a sergeant in the US Air Force during the Korean War. Tom was married to Dorothy Johnson from October 11, 1952 until her passing in 1954. He was remarried to Patricia McDermott in 1957 in Indiana and was married for 61 years until her passing in 2018.
Tom was a self-made man who owned and operated Tom Jones TV Service in Birmingham, Michigan for over 30+ years. He was never idle and looked forward to doing "Tom Jones Things." He was always interested in the next adventure and mastering new skills which included becoming an instrument rated private pilot, downhill skier, scuba diver and a tandem jumper from 12,000 ft. He loved people and connected on a deeper level with so many. He enjoyed his many friendships; especially his friends at the YMCA.
Tom loved and was devoted to his family. He is survived by his children Laurie (Tony) Hart, Julie Miller, Tom (Rochelle) Jones III, Tim (LuAnn) Jones, Sally Payne and his son-in-law Rich Walters; grandchildren Max Walters, Sontonia (Jeremy Hartnett) Gupton, Erica (Pearl Wong) Gupton, Dan (Nicole Lennon) Miller, Harvey (Lindsay) Miller, Tommy (Sarah) Jones IV, Nick (Sarah) Jones, Amanda (David Lawrence) Jones and Danyelle Finley; great grandchildren Damion Lawrence, Thomas Jones V, and Trenton Jones; brother Michael Jones and numerous nieces and nephews. Thomas was predeceased by his parents; daughter Cherie Walters; son-in-law Phillip "Ernie" Miller and siblings Richard Jones, Robert Jones, David Jones, Charles Jones and Maxine Snover.
All are invited to a memorial gathering to be held on Friday February 23, 2024 at Pixley Funeral Home, located at 322 West University Drive in downtown Rochester, Michigan at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. A luncheon will immediately follow the memorial service. Interment will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery this summer.
Memorial contributions may be made in Tom's honor to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital online at www.stjude.org or by envelope at Pixley Funeral Home.
