David Ray Jones

David was born March 2, 1945, in Lansing, Michigan, the second child of Kenneth and Margret Jones and younger brother of sister Judith. Growing up in Holt, David attended Holt High School where he was an active participant in numerous student activities and sports including school operettas, baseball, football, and FTA, and graduated in 1963. While in school, two events happened that would change his life. The first, was the notorious event of “being run over by a school bus” as he likes to tell it, at the age of 14. The second, David met a girls’ basketball player named Diane Stewart, and according to the story anyway, asked her out on a bet. Luckily for him, she agreed to that date, he won her over with his sense of humor (and she liked how he dressed), and a few years later, the two were married.

They welcomed a son, Deryck Sean (yes, after their favorite James Bond, Sean Connery) in 1965, and later in 1971 their daughter Daria was born. A very supportive dad, and luckily for them, often referred to as the “cool dad”, David not only encouraged his children in their activities and was there for their events, but he often became “Coach Jones” for both of his children and their teams throughout their youth, and was a very popular coach in both baseball/softball and bowling, often jokingly spouting one of his favorite quotes, “Those who can’t do, teach”. The kids weren’t the only sports enthusiasts as he and Diane were also active participants in softball, volleyball, and bowling, the latter being their “specialty” where he and Diane were almost as good as their children, having very successful teams over the years. One of his favorite activities over the course of several seasons was motorcycle racing, which took both he and Deryck around the region competing in all kinds of weather, often the muddier the better. Of course, this took a physical toll, resulting in David’s infamously bad knees which continued to affect him for the rest of his life.

David was a huge fan of the mountains of Tennessee and Kentucky, and family excursions would often include stays there. This love of the hills of Tennessee helped shape his plans for retirement as they began looking for property to build their retirement home. They finally settled for a 17-acre patch of land in southern Kentucky where he was finally able to fulfill his dream of southern living.

David is survived by his loving wife of 61 years Diane Jones; his children Deryck (Jodi) Jones, Daria Jones; grandchildren Nikole (James) Barker, Tanner (Emma Hickey) Jones, and Gabrielle (Zachary) Paye; great grandchildren Ryleigh and Luke Barker; and sister Judith Vercruysse.

He was preceded in death by his mother Margaret Jean Jones and father Kenneth Franklin Jones.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Heather Gaddis, SLP for her support and care during a very difficult time.

A visitation will be held Monday April 6th, 2026, from 9:30-10:30 with the funeral service at 10:30 at Gorsline Runciman Lansing Chapel 900 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing. Internment to follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in honor of David to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.