Mark Jones
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In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Nancy K. Poppen Program.
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Mark's obituary
May 19, 1954 - December 16, 2025
Mark Patrick Jones was a gentle, kind, creative spirit who will be deeply missed.
A gifted elementary educator, he radiated joy, inspired curiosity, and supported unconditionally. He had an extraordinary gift for working with children and a heart for the most challenging students.
A life-long artist, Mark was a talented potter, glassblower, printmaker, and more. Grounded in the East-Meets-West and Mingei traditions, his practice as an artist was daily, hands on, and close to the earth. Collaborative by nature, he was a generous mentor to fellow artists and the art curious.
Mark was unfailingly kind and abundantly silly. He cherished his family and friends and showered them with love and goodness—making music, making art, being in nature, kayaking, camping, biking, traveling, skiing, frisbee golfing, playing games, gathering around a fire, sharing a good meal, a good scotch, or an ice cream cone.
Mark was an incomparable partner to Kathleen O’Brien in all things love, life, and art. He was the best Pops to his daughters Hadley O’Brien and Lydia Fritz; their partners, Adam Mulling and Pat Fritz, whom he loved and admired so much; and to his beloved grandchildren Isla, Ronan, Jackson, and Theo.
He will be missed by his mother Barbara Jones, PhD. His much-loved brother and family, Gregory Jones and Jane Donovan, and their son Sanford Donovan Jones. Mark is predeceased by his father Patrick Jones; he is survived by Patrick’s wife Celeste and family. And an amazing tribe of friends and family.
Join us at Camp Blodgett on Sunday, Feb 1, 2026 to celebrate Mark’s life. Drop by the camp’s Retreat Center anytime between 1-5 pm. 10451 Lakeshore Drive West Olive, MI 49460. Parking is limited; ride share if you can. Park on Pierce St if the camp's lot is full (you can drive all the way up to the lodge to drop passengers off).
Contributions in memory of Mark may be made to the Nancy K. Poppen Program, which funds arts opportunities for low-income students in Muskegon Public Schools: https://tinyurl.com/Nancy-K-Poppen-Program
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