Thomas Daniel Jones Sr.

Thomas Daniel “Tom” Jones Sr., 84, of Rochester passed away Sunday morning, May 29, 2022 at home in his son’s arms. It was peaceful and quick with no pain or anxiety. He was born February 17, 1938 in Wilton, North Dakota to Thomas Daniel and Gladys Jones. Tom's father died at a young age, so he was raised by his mother and Dan Jones. He had six siblings, Ed, Shirley, Dave, Sharon, Butch and Herald. Tom attended Highline High School in Burien, Washington for a short time before leaving to enlist in the Air Force, earning his GED in 1956.

On March 1, 1963, Tom married Joy C. Binford in Burien, Washington. Together, they had three children, Elizabeth, Michele and Thomas.

After the United States Air Force, Tom had various jobs including self-employment, commercial fisherman and machinist for Boeing. He volunteered for years at the Burien Fire Department, before being hired in 1970 at Duwamish. He later annexed to Tukwila where he worked, until retiring in 1998.

Tom’s hobbies included drawing and doodling, gardening, woodworking, shade tree mechanic and general tinkering. His favorite things to fix were old equipment. He was a Ham Radio operator and his call sign was KB7QQN. Tom also held a private pilot license and at one time was a certified scuba diver.

Tom was a soft-spoken man. He was willing to give the shirt off his back if someone needed it. Everyone who knew him, admired him. He did not like being the center of attention, he was perfectly fine sitting in the background and watching. Family was the most important thing to him and he loved being a grandpa. Tom took care of all his grandchildren when they were little, being a good influence and teacher. Many afternoons were spent with his older grandkids watching Mary Poppins and Top Gun. He was always there for a soccer, baseball or wrestling event for his younger grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his fathers, Thomas D. Jones and Dan Jones; mother, Gladys Jones; wife, Joy Jones; siblings, Ed Jones, Shirley Lamb and Herald Jones; and daughter, Michele Sariego.

Survivors include siblings, Dave Jones, Sharon Lang and Butch Jones; children, Elizabeth Roush and Tom Jones; grandchildren, Megan Close-Shibig, Dave Court, TJ Jones and Andrea Jones; great-grandchildren, Michael Close-Shibig and Dani Close-Shibig.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Sticklin Funeral Chapel, 1437 S. Gold St., Centralia, WA 98531.

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