On 10/2/22 Michael Gardner Jones (Mike) (Coach) went to join his Kennett Indian and Missouri Tiger mates to play in the biggest of all bowls, coached by the greatest teacher and coach of all time. He will have to await the arrival of his Santa Fe Hawk mates and colleagues, to help coach them up one more time. Mike will also find time to play endless rounds on heavenly grounds prepared by the greatest Architect/Designer of all time. In his spare time, Mike will get to meet and greet with his life-long heroes and idols from all walks of life.

Michael was born on Feb 2, 1943 in Fulton, MO to parents Robert H. Jones and Evelyn J. Jones. His grandparents were Langdon R. and Node Jones of Kennett, MO and Patrick and Claire Jones of Fulton, MO. Always considered significant in his life: great uncles and Aunts - Irl (Josephine) and "Barney" (Verna) Jones and great aunts Mary and Mildred Benson and step-mother Marilou Jones, all deceased.

Mike attended Kennett, MO schools, graduating as a member of the National Honor Society in 1961 from Kennett High School. He was considered by many to be the best all-round athlete to come from the Kennett area – All state and All-American QB in FB; All-county basketball; qualified for state track/field three years, winning two medals; county swimming champion; a leader and contributor in the summer baseball program. Mike had the honor of being selected to play in the High School All-American football game in Ft. Lauderdale in 1961. He was, by his own accounts a lousy golfer, but at anytime had the ability to hit a glorious shot. Mike was proud of his accomplishments, yet humble. He was always grateful for his family, friends, teammates, coaches and teachers for the support he had and which he benefitted from greatly. He always believed the education he received K-12 in little ol' Kennett, MO prepared him for his future, whatever it might hold.

Mike earned a FB scholarship to the University of MO, after turning down numerous offers from throughout the South and Midwest. At MIZZOU, he participated and contributed despite nagging injuries (including torn MCL). He participated in the Bluebonnet Bowl in 1962. Mike graduated from MU with a degree in Education in 1965 and stayed to get his Masters in Education Administration in 1966, while working as a graduate assistant with the MU FB team. It was Mike's good fortune to be coached by hall-of-famer, Dan Devine. Mike was a member of the Kappa Alpha order while at MIZZOU.

He leaves behind two wonderful children, Michael Jones (Charleston, MO) and Laura Jones (Gallup, NM) and three perfect grandchildren, Layton, Courtney and Emma. The mother of his children, the former Lee Ann Pickard, is deceased. Mike also leaves sister, Lauranne Wood of Lakeland, FL and the love of his life, wife Pat Grogan Jones. In addition, he leaves behind a stepson, Timothy Pearman, PHD (Jenny) of Chicago, IL. Mike was preceded in death by older brother Langdon (probably his best friend) of Little Rock, AR and younger sister, Patricia Yankouski of Maine. He leaves behind numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Also, he leaves two other loves in his life – his cats "Legs" and "Squeak".

Mike had numerous occupations, from school teaching and coaching (starting at Kansas City Center) to banking (starting at First Tennessee in Memphis, TN and continuing to be Chief Operating Officer at banks in Sikeston, Piedmont and Poplar Bluff, MO and in Cabot, AR). He worked in Real Estate and Insurance for some years in Lakeland, FL.

Coming full cycle, Mike ended his career in teaching Economics at Lakeland High School (FL). Having always wanted to be a FB coach, he had the opportunity to be the head coach at Santa Fe Catholic High in Lakeland, FL for six years. It was the most rewarding professional experience he knew. The overall record was not to his liking, but the relationships with the school, players, coaches, parents and the competition was greatly rewarding.

Mike was fortunately blessed with a double lung transplant in 2014, due to having the terminal disease of Ideopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. He always felt blessed and grateful to Tampa General Hospital and his transplant team of Dr's Rolfe, Haddad, Floreth and Faber (Surgeon) and later for the great follow-up treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL.

Mike loved life and lived it well. He loved his friends and family. He was quietly generous and had a great sense of humor; he could laugh at himself.

Go MIZZOU and St. Louis Cardinals!

In lieu of flowers, etc., it is requested that donations be made to Mike's favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Cancer Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.

There will be a celebration of life in Kennett, MO on Oct 15 ^th at 1:00 pm at McDaniel Funeral Home, followed by a brief graveside service at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Kennett with interment to follow.