Dennis Jones

Dennis Mike Michael Jones, member of the Ponca Tribe and resident of Stillwater, Oklahoma passed away on Friday, March 6, 2009 at St. Johns Medical Center in Tulsa. He was 69. Mike was born the son of Lee Otis Jones and Velma Louise Pensoneau Jones on April 23, 1939 in Pawnee, Oklahoma. He graduated from Chilocco Indian School in 1958. While at the Chilocco Indian School he was involved in numerous extra curricular activities. He was in the Choir, Type Tusslers Club, Journalism and Speech Club. He served as Speech Club President in 1956, Choir Vice President in 1958, Type Tusslers Club President in 1958 and he was also the Chilocco Indian School Alumni President. He served two terms as President of the National Alumni. He was the Chiloccoan Editor-in-Chief in 1958, State Honor Society in 1957 and 1958 as well as Honorary Group Leader Home 6 in 1958. He excelled in Track and was top trackman in distance events at Arkansas City Junior College. He was best in the hurdle event and Track and Field and his perfect form was shown to the PO HI Track Men as an example. Mike later attended Cowley County Community College in Arkansas City, Kansas. Mike held many positions of employment. He was a, carpenter, mechanic and master printer. He owned and operated B.C. Inc. along with his brother, Alvin. He also owned D.J. Repair with his daughter, Denise. He was a longtime friend of Bill W. Mike enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family, but he especially loved helping others. He married Connie Jane Daniel Jones in 1962, and to this union, three children were born. He is survived by his 3 children, Denise Jones of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Diana Lea Christy and husband, Mark of Yorktown, Virginia and Dana Marie Patton and husband, Ray of Stillwater, Oklahoma; two stepchildren, Paul Preston of Mulvane, Kansas and Chris Preston of Delmar, Delaware; brothers and sisters, Donna Flood of Ponca City, Alvin Jones of Stillwater, Ester Epperson of Ponca City and Daniel Jones of Ponca City, Oklahoma; adopted brother, Garland Kent, Sr. and Anthony Rodriguez of Los Angeles, California, 10 grandchildren, Michael Jones of Paducah, Kentucky, Shana Brett of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Tia Bent of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Michelle Goucher of Binger, Oklahoma, Shayla Rutherford of Fayetteville, North Carolina, April Matal of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Alyssa Matal of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Daniel Matal of Owasso, Oklahoma, Zackery Patton of Stillwater, Oklahoma and Heather Imel of Yorktown, Virginia; 5 great grandchildren, Michael Jones of Paducah, Kentucky, Jacob Jones of Paducah, Kentucky, Jadyn Goucher of Binger, Oklahoma, Taryn Goucher of Binger, Oklahoma and Katelyn Brett of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his ex-wife, Linda Preston Jones who remained a loving and constant source of support until the end. He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Arnold Jones and Paul Jones. Casket bearers for the service will be Daniel Matal, Zackery Patton, Lance Goucher, Mark Flood, Tom Brett and Bruce Jones. Honorary bearers will be Dennis Jones, Mark Christy, Steve Pensoneau, Thomas Michael Kent, Friends of District 50 and friends of Chilocco Alumni. A traditional feast and giveaway will be held at 12:00 p.m. before being honored with the traditional Ponca funeral service at 2:00 p.m., on March 10, 2009. The service will be held at the Ponca Indian United Methodist Church with Brother Jimmy White officiating.