Dale Jones

Dale Alan Jones, a lifelong Community of Christ member, was born in Highland Park, Michigan, on March, 9, 1951, to Norman and Viola (Barnum) Jones of Dearborn Heights. He is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by: wife, Jan (Resch) Jones; daughter Jennifer J Jones and her family (husband James Lucas Jones, Zadie Jones, and Vonnegut Jones); brother Norman Jones, and his wife Lauralee; in-laws Jim and Vicki Resch, Pat Cook and good friend Don Wright; multiple nieces and nephews; Uncle Bob Jones and Uncle Lynn Jones of Michigan; multiple cousins.

He attended Robichaud High School, where he participated in band and choir. He also played in a band with his friends, Cross of the Moon, and he recorded a few singles of songs that he wrote. Right after high school, he sang in Musical Youth International, and traveled to Japan.

Dale attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, where he graduated with a BA in Music Education, with an emphasis in voice and tuba. While at Graceland, he played in the band, “The Emporium,” where he met his future wife, Jan Resch. They toured around the midwest and southwest, and also went on a 6-week USO tour in 1971-1972 to Vietnam and Thailand during the war.

Dale and Jan were married August 12, 1972. He taught music and special education music for 5 years with the Independence School District. Their daughter, Jennifer Jan Jones, was born in 1975. He earned a Master’s degree in Music and a Master of Arts in Religion. He also earned his CPA certificate.

The family moved to Detroit, Michigan, in 1978, so that he could be an Executive Minister and the Youth Minister for the Detroit International Stake. While there, Dale and Jan sang in a christian band called “The Common Bond” with 6 others. The group made 2 recordings.

The family returned to Independence, Missouri, in 1983, where he worked as an Executive Minister, Youth Minister, and assistant to the bishop for Santa Fe Stake. He received the honor of the International Youth Service Award from the Community of Christ in recognition of his ministry to young people. After returning to Missouri, the couple made a recording, “To the Giver of Life.” They also sang and recorded music with Rick and Sherry Lindgren, as well as for the World Church. In 1990, Dale became an Executive Minister and the assistant to the Stake Bishop for Kansas City Stake. When he went under appointment in 1993, he became the Kansas City Stake Bishop. He was then assigned as the bishop for the Central Mission.

In 2001, Dale was assigned to the two Mission Centers in Texas. While there, he was on the team to form a congregation called Abba Java. He and Jan formed a band with Paul Hatfield to lead congregational singing. He was assigned to the Southeast Mission Center in 2007, so he and Jan moved to South Carolina. After retirement, Dale and Jan moved back to Independence, Missouri. Throughout the years, he tuned pianos for 45 years, and prepared taxes for 35 years.

Once in Independence, Dale started substitute teaching in Fort Osage School District, primarily at Buckner Elementary and Fort Osage High School. In 2012, Dale took on his favorite role, as the Santa at Independence Center. He felt like it was part of his ministry to talk with and listen to all of the children, families, and elves.

Dale was a loving husband, a devoted father and proud grandfather. He will be greatly missed.