Michael David Jones

Michael David Jones passed away February 13, 2025, 2 days shy of his 70^th birthday, from complications of colon cancer. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at First Christian Church, with private graveside to follow at Resthaven Memorial Park.

We always knew Mike was special. His mom cried all the way to and from the Abilene State School on that fateful day when we placed Mike there as a youngster. He’d been diagnosed as mentally retarded – a term now banished in favor of what Mike was, a special needs child. He was a big boned youngster with a very simple mind and in those days, working parents with other mouths to feed had to lean on the state for help. That’s just how it was done.

We don’t remember tears from Mike. It wasn’t his nature. He had a childish innocence and optimism then and always since. He learned survival skills of day to day living in Abilene, like cooking, doing laundry and pushing a broom. He did well enough to return home to Midland as a young man and, under the tutelage of Midland Association of Retarded Citizens, now Spectrum of Solutions, he thrived, eventually graduating to his own supervised apartment on North A Street.  It was a watershed event – a man with special needs acting as though he had none.

An enduring memory from those times was of Mike, pedaling around on a special three-wheeled bike with a music box in the basket, on his way to workshop or the park or to his parent’s house. People who knew him honked and waved and many stopped to chat. His face lit up to see them. His laugh was infectious.

But his appetite was legendary. He could clean a plate with unrivaled enthusiasm, especially when piled high with Mexican food or Thanksgiving dinner. He always cleaned his plate; of every, single, crumb. He loved all sports, from basketball to the Cowboys and especially loved giving high-fives to the Midland Rockhounds mascot.

Some who met Mike felt sorry for him. Mike never felt sorry for himself.  He had a child’s eye view of the world, and each day was an uncluttered, never-ending adventure. He went to his grave still believing in Santa Claus. And it doesn’t get more special than that.

Mike is survived by his three brothers, Hal and wife Bonner, of Raleigh, NC; Ken and wife Dianne, of Crane and Stan, of Austin; and eight nieces and nephews and eleven great nieces and nephews.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Harold E. Jones and Anna Mae Jones-Franz, of Midland.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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