Michael Keith Jones

Michael Keith Jones, beloved son, nephew, brother, husband, father, uncle and friend was born in Oakdale, California on July 24, 1962. Mike peacefully returned to his Heavenly Father on June 4, 2025, at the age of sixty-two. Mike was born to his parents, Willard and Wilma Jones, and they were joined fifteen months later by his younger brother, Brian. They lived in Campbell, California, until the family bought their almond ranch in Ceres, California. While their sons were growing up, the Jones Family could frequently be found camping and dirt biking.

Mike graduated from Don Pedro Elementary, Mae Hensley Middle, and Ceres High Schools. He attended Cal State Stanislaus until he began working as a land surveyor. While working full time, he attended and graduated from Humphrey’s School of Law with a Juris Doctor.

While attending Stan State, Michael met Tara Nobles, the love of his life. They were married in Turlock, California, in 1986, and they made their home in Waterford. The births of their two sons, Thomas and Keven, completed their family. Eventually, they moved to a 1940’s farmhouse in Escalon, which they remodeled into their dream home. He resided there until his passing.

Michael was intelligent, active, hard working, ambitious, and pretty darn ornery, with a keen sense of humor. There was not a challenge or a job that Mike feared to tackle. He willingly worked with his family, spending many hours in the orchard and in the shop. In college, he earned money by purchasing junked cars, remodeling, painting, and selling them for a profit. Tara could often be found by his side, helping out or just sitting and watching him work. He also started his own small business painting almond shakers. Later, he turned to construction: buying land, remodeling existing buildings, subdividing, and building new homes, all while working full time. He loved to putter in his shop, repairing, building, creating, and brewing various beverages from beers to sports drinks. He liked to “tootle around” in the field on his tractors and backhoe. Recently, he was working at becoming a master chef and baker, making awesome almond chicken, chili rellenos, tamales, bread, and sugar free cakes.

Mike began his career as a Land Surveyor at Thompson Hysell Engineers in 1986. He also worked for O’Dell Engineering, co-founded Northstar Engineering, and eventually worked for Modesto Irrigation District as the head of their survey department. He retired in October of 2024, after well over thirty-nine years of dedicated work in the industry.

Mikie was a lifelong learner, who considered a rounded education, hard work, and living up to your potential to be vital in living a successful and happy life. He was a true mentor to others, tutoring other students and volunteering as a Big Brother or “Big” in the Big Brother Big Sister program. Mr. Jones took Taekwondo lessons with his wife and sons, earned his black belt and volunteered to coach fellow students. Mike was a constant inspiration and help to friends, co-workers, and employees. Through Michael’s encouragement, advice, example, and generosity others were able to flourish in their lives and careers. His family is only now hearing about many of these stories of how Mike influenced others towards success.

Michael was preceded in death, by his father and best friend, Willard; his mother-in-law, Judith Nobles; and his sister-in-law, Debilyn Jones. He is survived by his mother, Wilma; his brother, Brian (Tina); his forever wife, Tara; his two sons, Thomas (Leah) and Keven (Whitney); his nephew, Darin Higgins (Sarah); his nieces, Tabitha Meldrum and Deseree Marini (Anthony); his great niece, Samantha; his great nephews, Michael, Dean, Ryder, and Easton; his father-in-law, Ralph Nobles; and many other relatives and friends, who will all miss him dearly. While he will be greatly missed by those of us who temporarily remain in this mortal sphere, we know that he was welcomed back to his Heavenly home with open arms, and his family and friends are eternally grateful for the blessings of having known and loved him.

A graveside service will be held on the morning of Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. We invite you to dress casually, a la Mikie.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Big Brothers Big Sisters at bigs.com

If you have memories and/or pictures that you are willing to share, please help us to celebrate and honor Mike’s life by uploading them at www.dignitymemorial.com