Donald William Jones' Obituary
Donald William Jones was born January 3, 1933 in Port Clinton, Ohio to parents Donald Ruel Jones and Margaret Mildred Everson. He passed away peacefully on June 16, 2025 with his family by his side. Donald had a great love of airplanes and although he wasn't able to become a pilot, due to a ruptured ear drum, he moved to Oklahoma to attend Spartan School of Aeronautics. He graduated in 1959 earning his Master Instrument Mechanic Diploma. He was employed by American Airlines for 36 years, specializing in Altimeters and retired in 1996. He loved working in the yard, which included a large vegetable garden as well as a beautiful rose garden. He loved all animals, especially cats and enjoyed watching his Purple Martins return each year. In 1970, after 2 previous marriages, he met the love of his life, Bettie King Stites and her 2 daughters, Dani and Lori. After a very brief courtship of only 2 months, they were married. They recently celebrated their 55th Wedding Anniversary. After retirement they enjoyed going to Panera several times a week for coffee and bagels.
Donald was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1973 in Muskogee, OK along with his wife Bettie. As his health declined he was eager to share that knowledge and his experiences and funny stories with the many healthcare workers that visited him.
Donald was predeceased by his parents, his sister Nancy Schabow and his beloved grandson, Brent Hauge. Donald is survived by his wife Bettie, daughters, Dani Baker and husband Steven of Salt Lake City, UT; and Lori Hauge and husband Marcus of Broken Arrow, OK; Donald also had 3 adopted children from a previous marriage: Son, Michael Jones and daughters, Joni Jones Davis and her husband Kerry and Kristy Jones Coker all of Tulsa, OK. He is also survived by his 4 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren: Sara Baker, her husband Mike and her son Colin; Michael Baker, his wife Nicole and their 2 sons, Koan and Porter; and Emalee Baker - all of Salt Lake City, UT; and Alexander Hauge and his wife Katie of Ponca City, OK. Donald also has two nephews, Mark Schabow and his wife Connie, of Fort Wayne, IN and Michael Schabow and his wife Linda of Durham, NC. The family would like to thank the wonderful team of healthcare workers that cared for him over the last 3 years: Gerald Flanner, Trudy Martin, Al Flanner and Althea Flanner. We would also like to thank the wonderful team from St. Francis Hospice for their loving care during his final days. In addition, we thank the Staff and Therapists at Cedarhurst for making the transition from living in his own home to Senior Living so seamless.
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