Daniel (also, “Dan” and “Danny”) Jones was born to Daniel Burne Jones (biographer, illustrator, and painter) and Lucille Jacquie (Clery) Jones (nurse, devoted wife and mother). His parents were close acquaintances of several artists of regional and national fame, including being a close friend of Rockwell Kent, a nationally and internationally renowned artist and illustrator whose work includes illustrations in classics such as Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. At a young age and into early adulthood, Daniel accompanied his parents and Rockwell Kent on many international trips and interacted with many other artists. Also, during this period Daniel observed his father – the foremost authority on the works of Rockwell Kent at the time and Kent’s biographer – author and publish “The Prints of Rockwell Kent: A Catalogue Raisonne”.
Daniel graduated from Oliver Wendell Holmes Elementary School in Oak Park, IL, and from Oak Park and River Forest High School. Also, Daniel received, both, a bachelor's degree in geology and a master’s degree in education from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois. After college, Daniel lived in Oak Park and then Forest Park, IL, for the remainder of his life. Throughout his life Daniel was a huge fan of all Chicago sports teams (including the Cubs, Bulls, and Blackhawks), but Daniel was, especially, a lifelong, avid, and completely passionate fan of the Chicago Bears and the Chicago White Sox. Those were his teams and he watched them whenever possible with friends. When he was physically able Daniel loved playing softball and basketball. He loved listening to jazz. He loved eating out at restaurants and going out to see movies, as his friends can attest. But Danielle really loved visiting used book shops, resale shops, and rock/mineral shows – looking for unique items and bargains. These were probably his favorite activities throughout most of his adult life.
Daniel was an only child with very few close family members. Over the years, after the death of his parents, Daniel’s close friends from college became his family. During the last 20 years or so leading up to his death, Daniel’s home church, Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, IL, became his family, with a few faithful, compassionate, and caring members of the church community becoming even more of Daniel’s “siblings” and “cousins” than they ever realized or appreciated, but who were all greatly treasured and valued by Daniel, especially as his health declined. Daniel went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 18, 2023 – fully trusting in Christ Jesus as his Lord and Savior.
A visitation for Daniel will be held Saturday, February 4, 2023 from 9:00 AM until time of service 10:00 AM at Calvary Memorial Church, 931 Lake St., Oak Park, IL 60301. Burial to follow at Chapel Hill Gardens West Cemetery, 17W201 Roosevelt Road, Oakbrook Terrace. Services entrusted to Chapel Hill Gardens West Funeral Home.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelHillGardensWest.com for the Jones family.
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