Michael David Jones

He was born on January 18, 1946 in Pittsburg, Texas. He was the second child, and only son, of Lewis and Hazel Jones. His family briefly lived in neighboring Mt. Pleasant, Texas before moving to Lubbock, Texas, where he spent the rest of his youth. As a young child he was frail and sickly with frequent bouts of pneumonia and asthma. He was often near death, but a new medication, penicillin, became available and he was saved. He grew up a scrawny, weak child, but loved playing “kick the can” with neighborhood boys creating lasting memories that followed him in life. He learned to love the Texas Tech Red Raiders and attended football games with his family. As he grew, his earlier health problems seemed to vanish and he became a powerfully built teenage boy and man. His father lovingly calling him “Hoss” while engaging him as his assistant for building projects and repair to their home, where his immense knowledge of construction began.

Mike loved the game of football and music. He played the violin and bass violin and was the only football player at Lubbock High School that was also in the orchestra. He graduated from college at Texas Technological College with a bachelor’s degree in English and Chemistry. He later received a Master’s degree in Counseling from East Texas State University, a doctorate (A.B.D) from Texas Tech in Guidance Counseling, and a teaching certificate from Texas State University. While returning an “A” paper in Sophomore English, his teacher commented that he was not just a “dumb jock”. He continued to develop an uncanny knowledge of things past and present. Much to the chagrin of his children, he was a wealth of knowledge on almost any subject and would answer their questions with a complete dissertation on the subject. He was “Google” before the internet was created. His wife and children continued to rely on his knowledge until his death. He loved hunting, knife making, reading, football, and fishing. As a young child he read the encyclopedia loving the serene quiet of his room. His father often took him on fishing trips to Throckmorten, Texas where a family friend owned a cattle ranch, learning not only to fish and camp, but to watch out for rattlesnakes. He returned there with his family on one occasion as a young parent. When stopping his car to dig up a plant for Carol, his wife, his young son, Doug, played with a wind up toy. Mike froze, not moving a muscle, causing his wife to wonder what was going on when she realized the wind up toy made the same sound as a rattle snake. She assured him that it was only a toy. When he got back in the car, young Doug got “the look” that could stop his children “in their tracks”.

Mike was not only his father’s assistant, but was also engaged by his mother, Hazel, in household chores such as canning, sewing and upholstery where he learned skills not commonly considered “manly”. He was not constrained by typical expectations and used all of these skills in his life and retirement job with San Antonio School District, after retiring from his career as a Special Education teacher. He loved modifying and creating equipment for children with special needs and treasured his friendships with the school staff where the small workshop was called “Santa’s shop” by some. It was the perfect retirement job for Mike.

He was married to his wife, Carol, for 47 years with two children, Jill Christina and Douglas Garrett. He was a strong family man loving God and his country. During his work on his doctorate degree he became “Mr. Mom” not only in the care of his young children, but also to a large group of young men as the house parent at a college dormitory at Texas Tech. The freshman boys learned soon that all rules were enforced, but some leniency was there after winning football games. Mike knew the students were safer celebrating in the dorm, and looked the other way during these celebrations. On one occasion, after a knock was heard on his door, he found a pitcher of daiquiris with a note that said “Thank you.”

He was the prime of example of the importance of fathers and was saddened by the political correctness of the weakening of men in our culture. His children loved going to the child development playground on campus where there was a 15 foot jungle gym. One day after work, Carol, went to the park and saw her 2 year old son, Doug, on the top of the jungle gym standing straight up with arms spread, yelling, “Hey Mom, look at me!” She almost had a heart attack, but realized the freedom and developmental opportunities that Mike provide for his children, and was happy that her children had such a loving father. His daughter, Jill, became an excellent student. He was most proud of her math skills and her success in high school and college. She is now a loving wife and mother of two and an owner of her own business. His son, Doug, is also a loving father of 5 children and has multiple awards for superior work in the field of emergency care.

Mike was a jack of all trades using all his skills in life. He had an uncanny ability to figure out how to create and make something work. He was the strong, silent type with incredible athletic skills, balance and a keen intellect. He was not happy with the aging process as it robbed him of his superior strength and coordination.

Mike is survived by his wife, Carol Campbell Jones; his sister, Nancy Claunts; two children, Jill Christina Gentry and Douglas Garrett Jones , 7 grandchildren, Amber, Quinten, Carley, Jake, Zane, Tyler, and Cash and his nieces and nephew, Symbra, Sarah, Susan and Jay.

Memorial services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 22,2016 at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Larry Howard officiating.