Daniel James Jones

Daniel James Jones, born January 3, 1937 to William and Dorothy Jones in Ferndale, Michigan passed from this life into the next on Tuesday, June 28, 2022, confident in the grace of God and the sufficiency of faith. Dan grew up with three brothers, Douglas, David and John, in Detroit, where his father owned and managed several small apartment buildings. He was active in the band and athletics at the Salvation Army Citadel Corps and graduated from Cass Technical High School in January of 1956. He immediately took up work as a draftsman in the automotive industry, but in October of 1957 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served active duty and the reserve until 1963. During this time he served with the Detroit Fire Department and returned to drafting work in the auto industry.

At the Salvation Army he met Marilyn Staiger, whom he married on June 30, 1962. They moved to her hometown of Chicago and he began classes at Moody Bible Institute. On January 5, 1964 they had a son, Timothy, and the following year relocated to East Lansing, Michigan, where he enrolled at Michigan State University. As a student in the College of Education, he completed his student teaching at Haslett High School, and he was employed there full time when he completed his degree. He continued to teach industrial arts in the Haslett Public Schools for the remainder of his career, overseeing changes in the curriculum from hands-on shop courses to digital technology and design. He also taught many young residents of Haslett to drive.

The family was active at the First Baptist Church in Okemos and later at Trinity Church in East Lansing. On December 2, 1968 they had a daughter, Sharon. In 1973, the family moved for two years to the Philippines, where Dan started an industrial arts program at Faith Academy in Manila. Afterward he returned to teaching at Haslett High School and completed a Master’s degree in Education at Michigan State.

In 1995, Marilyn died of ovarian cancer. Dan continued to teach until his retirement in 1998, when he began to devote his time to driving motorcoaches for Dean Trailways, charitable service, and his cottage on Piatt Lake near Eckerman, Michigan. At Piatt Lake in 2015, he met Linda Roberds and the two were married on October 1 of that same year. The new couple were active in their communities at Piatt Lake and Okemos, and they traveled to visit many friends and members of their joined families. They volunteered each winter at the Life for Youth Camp in Vero Beach, Florida and put their faith in action with congregations at Trinity and later University Reformed Church.

Daniel is survived by his wife Linda; children Tim (Jacqueline de Vries) and Sharon (Tim Murphy); grandchildren MariKate Murphy, Erin Murphy, Mariel Jones and Cecily Jones; beloved nieces and nephews; and the bonus family he gained through his marriage with Linda.

Although God richly blessed Dan with many skills and talents, in great humility he did not see himself as anything special. His one primary focus was his relationship with God through his savior, Jesus Christ. Throughout his life he was a student of the Bible and attempted to live in obedience to the holy Word. Each of his days began with his personal worship time. Again this year he planned to read the entire Bible, something he had done many times. He felt his greatest legacy would be a life well-lived for God which would be a very evident to family and friends. He often said he wanted to "finish well". That was certainly true, as are Christ's words, "well done good and faithful servant"!

A Memorial service for Daniel will be held on Thursday July 7, 2022 at The University Reform Church at 1:00 PM, 841 Timberlane Street, East Lansing Michigan, 48823. A reception to follow the Service at the church.

Memorial Donations may be made in Daniel's name to University Reformed Church 841 Timberlane Street, East Lansing Michigan, 48823, or Christian Aid Mission P.O Box 9037 Charlottesville, VA 22906.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for the Jones family.