David A. Jones

David probably knew his days were numbered when he was admitted to the hospital on that unseasonably warm end of September, Friday morning. But if he did, he didn't share that with his loved ones because as was his nature to the very end, he wanted to shield those he loved from any pain or disappointment that his failing health might impose. But he won't be remembered for the day he passed, rather the full life he lived leading up to that day.

David Andrew Jones was born June 19, 1928 in Colon, Panama, raised in a variety of officer's quarters on military bases across the country with a stern father, a doting mother, and he being the third youngest of five boys and one girl. While his father, an army colonel, was continuously busy with his military duties, his mother spent a good deal of time teaching her children the love of gardening--known for saying "all Joneses are gardeners". Singing with his siblings was also a regular event in their household, with many songs of his youth passed down to his own children over the years.

In 1949, David married his best friend, Marie, while they were both students at Colorado State College of Education in Greeley. On December 18th of this year, he and Marie would have celebrated 63 years of marriage together. Both graduated with a BA in Education and were teachers in Greeley. David completed his Master Degree in Education in Greeley and was a lover of history and knowledge. He passed that love on to his students, as well as his own children.

When their kids were young, camping and fishing were favorite pastimes, another joy that was lovingly passed down and ingrained in his sons. David loved cribbage, crossword puzzles and most all sporting events. He was an avid golfer, and became quite accomplished in the game, shooting in the mid-70s well into his late-70s.

The family moved from Greeley to Illinois and Minnesota for a few years, then back to Greeley, all during a time when David was pursuing sales positions that he hoped would keep his family comfortable and build a nest egg for his retirement. In 1977, Dave and Marie moved to Littleton, Colorado where they lived in a lovely suburban neighborhood for nearly 30 years. A green thumb was clearly infused into Dave's DNA as he ultimately covered nearly the entire backyard and much of the front and side yards of the home with gardens of many varieties. He took great pride in his seemingly endless gardens that boasted a rainbow of flowers and mouthwatering vegetables every season. Strolls through the garden to point out this flower or that were a mandatory, guided invitation with every visit to Dave and Marie's home.

David became a District Manager with the Rocky Mountain News and finished his career as a ranger at several area golf courses to support his golf habit. He retired from that job on his 80th birthday!

Sunday afternoon, September 30th, David shed his earthly tent and exchanged it for a body with no pain, no limitations, and an eternal place of rest where he can cultivate the most glorious gardens to present to the King of kings for all of eternity. Rest in peace, David--dear husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. You will be missed for now, but we will see you again. And your guidance and counsel over the years did not fall on deaf ears. We are all better for having known you and been loved by you.

David is survived by his wife, Marie; children David Jr., Carolyn and son-in-law Casey Clark, Steven and daughter-in-law Teri Jones; grandchildren Lauren Pineda-Jones, David Jones III, Vanessa Clark Torrey, Trevor Clark, Jordan Clark, Andrew Jones and Christopher Jones; and great grandchildren Tristan, Tanner and Mackenzie Torrey, and Zeekiel Clark. He is also survived by brothers Stanley Jones and Lawrence Jones.

In lieu of flowers the family suggest donations to the Ronald McDonald House in David's name. You can donate on the web by visiting www.rmhc.org

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