Mike Jones, 73, passed away June 2, 2019 at his home. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Thursday, June 6, 2019 at West Des Moines United Methodist Church, 720 Grand Ave. with burial following at Jordan Cemetery in West Des Moines. Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at McLarens Chapel, 801 19th Street, in West Des Moines.
Mike, the son of Keith R. and Charlotte E. (McGregor) Jones was born on May 22, 1946 in Creston, Iowa. He lived in Murray, Osceola and Prescott growing up, graduating from Prescott High School before attending Northwest Missouri State and Iowa State University. Mike worked for “Places Dime Store”. He was a member of the Iowa Army National Guard for 9 years. He worked for Hy-Vee Food Stores for nearly 30 years. Mike was a long-time volunteer firefighter starting with the Clive Fire Department, then joining the West Des Moines Fire Department in 1973, serving nearly 27 years with the department rising to the rank of Battalion Chief.
In March of 1968, Mike met Linda Briggs on a blind date and after dating only a month and a half, he proposed, and they were married 5 months later. Mike and Linda had been married for 50 years last September. This marriage produced two children, Greg (Lisa) Jones and Teri (Randy) Hazen both of Norwalk. His greatest joys and biggest source of pride were his grandchildren, Doug, Erech, Natalie and Brendan, his BEND team.
Mike was a former Boy Scout leader. He enjoyed traveling, watching wildlife, bird watching from his deck and following the kids’ and grandkids’ activities. Mike was generally a pain to his wife and a source of frustration for his kids and grandkids, who all blocked him on Facebook, but they loved him anyway.
He is survived by his wife, Linda; children, Greg (Lisa) Jones and Teri (Randy) Hazen all of Norwalk; grandchildren, Doug, Erech, Natalie and Brendan; sister, Cathleen (Larry) McAlexander of Treynor; and brother, Dr. William Jones of West Union.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family for a future designation.