Darrel Max Jones

Darrel Max Jones peacefully passed away the evening of January 7, 2026, at home with his wife Mary and son Dennis at his side. Born on February 24, 1948 to Max Jones and Peggy (Hewitt) Jones, Darrel was the eldest of two sons. He grew up in Clio, MI, in a house his father built in 1953. It remained the family home for the next 70 years. Darrel and Randy were always "the troublemakers", sliding on hardwood floors, pretending to be their favorite baseball players, or throwing shoes at one another, "accidentally" putting holes in the dining room door!

Darrel was a passionate athlete. He played baseball and was a member of the cross-country and track teams all through high school. After graduating Clio High, he attended Mott Community College and Michigan State University. He always loved baseball and played well into his 50s.

In 1965, at 17, Darrel was involved in a serious car accident that affected his lifetime of health. Being young and athletic, he recovered from the initial injuries quickly, however, five years later, he sustained a basketball injury to the scar tissue, and a three month hospital stay changed his career path.

Surrounded by the automotive industry in Michigan, he worked at Ford and Buick dealers in Flint. He loved the marketing aspect of the business, and decided to focus his education on such.

Darrel and Mary were married in September 1978. While dating, he took her to a park, tossed a football, and was impressed that Mary could actually throw a spiral! They both loved the outdoors. In 1979, they moved to northern Michigan and bought 38 acres on a trout stream in the Houghton Lake area. He hunted, trapped, and fished all the while accompanied by his favorite dog, Buck. He and our daughter cut wood for many years to prepare for the long Michigan winters. He also developed his own par three golf course on the property so he could practice his love for golf, even when he wasn't playing in a league.

While living up north, Darrel started his own full-line insurance agency. In the mid 1980s, he changed his emphasis back to marketing, where his interest always remained, and developed his own successful automotive service equipment business. Even then, he was exposing his son, a fifth generation, to the auto industry.

His former golf league partner moved to Arizona. He encouraged Darrel to bring some of his business to Arizona, and, of course to golf while visiting. By the start of 1992, he moved his family to Arizona - A different kind of outdoors to explore and enjoy. Once there, he had golf leagues and baseball to enjoy year round. Darrel coached baseball in Sedona, as well as acted as a player agent for Sedona Little League. He also coached high school baseball for a few years during a brief stay in Florida.

In 2002, another life-threatening diagnosis would challenge Darrel. A cancerous tumor was discovered in the area of the stomach and esophagus as a result of the surgery from 1970. The doctor gave him six months to a year to live. He didn't give up. He sought second and third opinions until he found a surgeon with what he considered an attitude like his own. Darrel had his entire esophagus removed and replaced with a portion of his large intestine. He recovered and considered having only gravity to keep his food down a minor inconvenience. He was able to remain cancer-free.

Darrel and Mary traveled, enjoyed concerts, and regularly danced to their favorite bands. Boy, he loved to dance. Darrel continued to golf at least three times a week, especially with his golf buddies. The foursome were all around the same age, so the stories of growing up were aplenty. Darrel treasured their friendships.

He was especially proud of his family and grandchildren and their accomplishments. Darrel is survived by his wife Mary of 47 years, his daughter Rebecca Payne and husband Rob of Traverse City, MI; his son Dennis Jones and wife Jorie of Phoenix; grandsons Robert Payne of Belleville, MI, and Patrick Payne of Traverse City; brother Randy Jones and wife Jean of Clio, MI; numerous family members and countless friends. The family is planning private services at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Arizona Humane Society or First Tee Golf.

His brother Randy says, "Darrel is proof of why you must never give up. Give a 100% in whatever you do, whether it's sports, academics, work, or relationships. Life was often inconvenient for Darrel, but it was a good life. He was my hero."

Remember, "Success is never final; Failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts." - John Wooden