Michael Hughes Jones

Michael (Mike) Hughes Jones, aged 88, of Clearwater, Florida passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 7, 2025. He will be remembered as a loving Husband, Dad, and Grandad. He loved his family, and he instilled in them his passion for travel and adventure.

Mike was born in England on February 28, 1937, to Edwin and Elsie Millicent (Millie) Jones. He grew up in Romford, Essex and attended Palmer’s School in Grays. He later studied Engineering at Southeast Essex Technical College. As a young boy, he lived through WWII.

Mike completed his British National Service in The Royal Air Force. It was here that he discovered his love for travel and adventure which he passed down to his family. On weekends Mike took full advantage of his flight benefits and started to travel around Europe. As a young man, he bicycled around Norway, Scotland, and explored many parts of Europe. He always had a knack for finding the road less traveled and beautiful country lanes.

Mike met Margaret Edgar at the Hare Park Lawn Tennis Club in Gidea Park, England. They enjoyed dates exploring the beautiful English countryside and villages. Mike and Margaret were married on July 28, 1966, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Romford. It was the beginning of their great adventure.

Their first adventure led them all the way to America. With the encouragement of Margaret’s father, James Edgar, Mike responded to a newspaper ad for mechanical engineers needed in Michigan to work on the U.S. Apollo Space Program. It sounded like an exciting opportunity, so Mike and Margaret packed their bags for the United States and settled in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mike was employed by Bendix Aerospace Systems and worked in a team designing and building lunar surface operational systems for the Apollo Space Program. While living in Ann Arbor, they welcomed two sons, Christopher in 1967 and Stephen in 1969. They met many lifelong friends in Ann Arbor.

Mike and Margaret always planned on moving back to England one day. After several cold Michigan winters, they decided to experience life in a warmer, sunny climate. In 1970, as a one-year experiment, they packed their bags and moved to beautiful Dunedin, Florida. Mike took a job with the Honeywell Corporation in Clearwater, continuing his work on the space program. In 1971 they welcomed daughter Katherine at Morton Plant Hospital. Their one-year stay in Clearwater turned into a wonderful 55-year adventure. Mike, Margaret, and the three kids enjoyed boating, attending Rowdies soccer games, walking regularly on Clearwater Beach, and traveling the world during summer breaks.

Mike and a group of fellow British soccer enthusiasts helped start the youth soccer program in Clearwater. He was a successful soccer coach for over 10 years, leading the Clearwater Tornadoes soccer team to many victories. During practice he raced his team around the field and always promised anyone who could beat him would be allowed to pick his position in the next game.

Mike loved his family, and every summer was filled with awesome travel adventures. He showed his kids the world and he was in his element planning every detail and all the places to visit. He enjoyed being a traveler instead of a tourist, opting to stay at the local bed and breakfasts along the route.

Mike was always so supportive of his family’s education and careers. Not only did he support the family through college, flying lessons, and business offices, he always made time and gave his valuable advice and unwavering love and support. He especially loved spending time with his four beautiful granddaughters, Adyson, Erin, Olivia, and Lauren. He enjoyed participating in their events including tennis, swimming, chorus, and flying. He was overjoyed to support them in all their endeavors.

Michael Jones passed away peacefully surrounded by family. He is survived by his wife Margaret of 58 years, his son Christopher Michael (Shelby), Stephen Peter (Suzy), and Katherine Margaret (Keith), four beautiful granddaughters Adyson Lynn (18), Erin Marie (17), Olivia Christine (16), and Lauren Elizabeth (15), and his sister Patricia Crane (Peter), Nephews Michael, Phillip, and Nigel Crane, and Christopher Dunford.

All who knew and loved Mike are welcome to his Celebration of Life Mass. It will be held Wednesday May 28 at 10 am at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Attire is smart casual and colorful.