Dale Jones, age 75, Parrish, Florida passed away on January 31st, 2025 at Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton. As his last act of generosity, he was an organ donor. He was born January 14, 1950 as the fourth child of Berne and Mildred (Mathias) Jones and grew up near Macy, Indiana. He graduated from North Miami High School where he was heavily involved in the FFA serving as chapter president two years and being a member of state champion poultry and soil judging teams and member of the runner-up national land judging team. He was also a member of the basketball team that was a semi-state finalist as a senior. Dale attended Purdue University where he graduated cum laude in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in 1974. Dale taught agriculture at Benton Central High School for eleven years then became a vocational director of Benton Central Area Vocational School. He also initiated the GED Preparation classes at Benton Central and served as UPBEAT alternative school director and directed adult education classes. He was the career and technical education director of Wildcat Creek Career Cooperative from 2005 to 2012 serving the eight public high schools in Benton, Clinton, and Tippecanoe County Schools.
He was active in sports while at Benton Central; coaching junior high volleyball & basketball and varsity & junior varsity softball for over twenty years. Dale also was the public address announcer for Benton Central softball, girls & boys basketball, and volleyball for twenty-four years and announced girls and boys basketball at McCutcheon High School for seven years. He was a junior high volleyball official. He was a fan of NASCAR, Purdue sports, and the New York Yankees. He had an extensive collection of sports cards & memorabilia.
Dale moved to Parrish, Florida following retirement to be closer to family. He developed a love for pickleball, biking, gardening, golfing and playing cards with friends and family. After moving to Florida, he became an active member of the Parrish United Methodist church. Dale always looked forward to being part of work teams to help others in need. These trips took him to various cities in the US, Haiti, Jamaica, and just this last November to Cuba.
Dale is survived by his wife of 48 years Sherry (Fausz), son Kraig (Janet) Jones Mattawan, Michigan; daughter Kristi (Erik) Uhlinger Palmetto, Florida; grandchildren Xavier, Ariana, and Trae Uhlinger and granddog Mackey; along with brothers Berne (Holly) Jones, Idaho; Glen (Christine) Jones Rochester, Indiana; and Carl “Pete” (Ladeana) Jones Peru, Indiana; brother-in-law Terry (Pam) Fausz, Huntington, Indiana; and sister-in-law Roma Fausz, Roanoke, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister & brother-in-law Marvis & Jim Morgan, Argos, Indiana and brother-in-law Gary Fausz, Markle, Indiana.
Dale loved spending time with his family; especially watching his grandchildren participate in sporting events. He will be remembered as a Man of God that was generous, kind, giving, caring, and thoughtful of others.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:
Parrish United Methodist Church Mission for Cuba
Parrish United Methodist Church Memorial Fund
Benton Community Foundation. Checks payable to Benton Community Foundation-Attention Andrea Bowman. Note in memory of Dale Jones to Agricultural Scholarship
Miss Manatee Softball League
Wave Basketball
Funeral services will be held at Groover Funeral Home Ellenton, FL on Monday February 10th, 2025 with visitation starting at 12pm followed by a service at 2pm. A Celebration of Life service will be planned in Indiana at a later date.
