We have lost another great Land Surveyor recently. Mikey Jones passed away at his home in Escalon last week. For those of you that knew Mikey, you will not be surprised that he was still working hard on his property. Mikey also leaves behind a great legacy of land surveying. For the first part of his career, he worked in the private sector and his later part of his career as the Modesto Irrigation District Land Surveyor. He was a strong asset to our profession and many of us utilized his expertise regularly. On behalf of his family, I would like to share the following:
Dear Friends and Family: Mike's funeral service will be on Saturday, June 14 at 10:00 a.m. at Lakewood Memorial Park, 900 Santa Fe Ave. in Hughson, California. Follow the blue flags from the entrance gate. We encourage you to dress in casual clothing a la Mikie. If you have special photos or memories that you can share, please honor him by adding them at: dignitymemorial.com
Mikey Jones, PLS 6805
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Ric7308
- Posts: 707
- Joined: Thu Nov 17, 2005 2:50 pm
Re: Mikey Jones, PLS 6805
Very sad to hear this. Thanks for sharing Rich. If you can share an obit by email or on here, that would be helpful for us at the Board.
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Scott
- Posts: 250
- Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:52 am
- Location: Modesto, CA
Re: Mikey Jones, PLS 6805
One of my very best mentors. I will miss him terribly.
Mikie surveyed pretty much the entire MID, H and V.
All PLSS corners on either side of the canals.
All record monuments set on the canal RWs over the decades.
All of the old bolt and brass plate benchmarks on every drop of every canal.
All on filed Record of Surveys and in databases with kml files that linked to Datasheets for every mark.
I remember he was trying to stay ahead of the massive almond plantings that were destroying original government monuments on the east side of the district.
Rest in Peace Mikiej
Oh yeah, Rich just reminded me all the canals were topo'ed, too.
Mikie surveyed pretty much the entire MID, H and V.
All PLSS corners on either side of the canals.
All record monuments set on the canal RWs over the decades.
All of the old bolt and brass plate benchmarks on every drop of every canal.
All on filed Record of Surveys and in databases with kml files that linked to Datasheets for every mark.
I remember he was trying to stay ahead of the massive almond plantings that were destroying original government monuments on the east side of the district.
Rest in Peace Mikiej
Oh yeah, Rich just reminded me all the canals were topo'ed, too.
Scott DeLaMare
LS 8078
LS 8078
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Rich Fultz
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Thu Oct 24, 2024 1:07 pm
Re: Mikey Jones, PLS 6805
Obituary:
Michael Keith Jones, beloved son, nephew, brother, husband, father, uncle and friend was born in Oakdale, California on July 24, 1962. Mike peacefully returned to his Heavenly Father on June 4, 2025, at the age of sixty-two. Mike was born to his parents, Willard and Wilma Jones, and they were joined fifteen months later by his younger brother, Brian. They lived in Campbell, California, until the family bought their almond ranch in Ceres, California. While their sons were growing up, the Jones Family could frequently be found camping and dirt biking.
Mike graduated from Don Pedro Elementary, Mae Hensley Middle, and Ceres High Schools. He attended Cal State Stanislaus until he began working as a land surveyor. While working full time, he attended and graduated from Humphrey’s School of Law with a Juris Doctor.
While attending Stan State, Michael met Tara Nobles, the love of his life. They were married in Turlock, California, in 1986, and they made their home in Waterford. The births of their two sons, Thomas and Keven, completed their family. Eventually, they moved to a 1940’s farmhouse in Escalon, which they remodeled into their dream home. He resided there until his passing.
Michael was intelligent, active, hard working, ambitious, and pretty darn ornery, with a keen sense of humor. There was not a challenge or a job that Mike feared to tackle. He willingly worked with his family, spending many hours in the orchard and in the shop. In college, he earned money by purchasing junked cars, remodeling, painting, and selling them for a profit. Tara could often be found by his side, helping out or just sitting and watching him work. He also started his own small business painting almond shakers. Later, he turned to construction: buying land, remodeling existing buildings, subdividing, and building new homes, all while working full time. He loved to putter in his shop, repairing, building, creating, and brewing various beverages from beers to sports drinks. He liked to “tootle around” in the field on his tractors and backhoe. Recently, he was working at becoming a master chef and baker, making awesome almond chicken, chili rellenos, tamales, bread, and sugar free cakes.
Mike began his career as a Land Surveyor at Thompson Hysell Engineers in 1986. He also worked for O’Dell Engineering, co-founded Northstar Engineering, and eventually worked for Modesto Irrigation District as the head of their survey department. He retired in October of 2024, after well over thirty-nine years of dedicated work in the industry.
Mikie was a lifelong learner, who considered a rounded education, hard work, and living up to your potential to be vital in living a successful and happy life. He was a true mentor to others, tutoring other students and volunteering as a Big Brother or “Big” in the Big Brother Big Sister program. Mr. Jones took Taekwondo lessons with his wife and sons, earned his black belt and volunteered to coach fellow students. Mike was a constant inspiration and help to friends, co-workers, and employees. Through Michael’s encouragement, advice, example, and generosity others were able to flourish in their lives and careers. His family is only now hearing about many of these stories of how Mike influenced others towards success.
Michael was preceded in death, by his father and best friend, Willard; his mother-in-law, Judith Nobles; and his sister-in-law, Debilyn Jones. He is survived by his mother, Wilma; his brother, Brian (Tina); his forever wife, Tara; his two sons, Thomas (Leah) and Keven (Whitney); his nephew, Darin Higgins (Sarah); his nieces, Tabitha Meldrum and Deseree Marini (Anthony); his great niece, Samantha; his great nephews, Michael, Dean, Ryder, and Easton; his father-in-law, Ralph Nobles; and many other relatives and friends, who will all miss him dearly. While he will be greatly missed by those of us who temporarily remain in this mortal sphere, we know that he was welcomed back to his Heavenly home with open arms, and his family and friends are eternally grateful for the blessings of having known and loved him.
A graveside service will be held on the morning of Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. We invite you to dress casually, a la Mikie.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Big Brothers Big Sisters at bigs.com
If you have memories and/or pictures that you are willing to share, please help us to celebrate and honor Mike’s life by uploading them at www.dignitymemorial.com
Michael Keith Jones, beloved son, nephew, brother, husband, father, uncle and friend was born in Oakdale, California on July 24, 1962. Mike peacefully returned to his Heavenly Father on June 4, 2025, at the age of sixty-two. Mike was born to his parents, Willard and Wilma Jones, and they were joined fifteen months later by his younger brother, Brian. They lived in Campbell, California, until the family bought their almond ranch in Ceres, California. While their sons were growing up, the Jones Family could frequently be found camping and dirt biking.
Mike graduated from Don Pedro Elementary, Mae Hensley Middle, and Ceres High Schools. He attended Cal State Stanislaus until he began working as a land surveyor. While working full time, he attended and graduated from Humphrey’s School of Law with a Juris Doctor.
While attending Stan State, Michael met Tara Nobles, the love of his life. They were married in Turlock, California, in 1986, and they made their home in Waterford. The births of their two sons, Thomas and Keven, completed their family. Eventually, they moved to a 1940’s farmhouse in Escalon, which they remodeled into their dream home. He resided there until his passing.
Michael was intelligent, active, hard working, ambitious, and pretty darn ornery, with a keen sense of humor. There was not a challenge or a job that Mike feared to tackle. He willingly worked with his family, spending many hours in the orchard and in the shop. In college, he earned money by purchasing junked cars, remodeling, painting, and selling them for a profit. Tara could often be found by his side, helping out or just sitting and watching him work. He also started his own small business painting almond shakers. Later, he turned to construction: buying land, remodeling existing buildings, subdividing, and building new homes, all while working full time. He loved to putter in his shop, repairing, building, creating, and brewing various beverages from beers to sports drinks. He liked to “tootle around” in the field on his tractors and backhoe. Recently, he was working at becoming a master chef and baker, making awesome almond chicken, chili rellenos, tamales, bread, and sugar free cakes.
Mike began his career as a Land Surveyor at Thompson Hysell Engineers in 1986. He also worked for O’Dell Engineering, co-founded Northstar Engineering, and eventually worked for Modesto Irrigation District as the head of their survey department. He retired in October of 2024, after well over thirty-nine years of dedicated work in the industry.
Mikie was a lifelong learner, who considered a rounded education, hard work, and living up to your potential to be vital in living a successful and happy life. He was a true mentor to others, tutoring other students and volunteering as a Big Brother or “Big” in the Big Brother Big Sister program. Mr. Jones took Taekwondo lessons with his wife and sons, earned his black belt and volunteered to coach fellow students. Mike was a constant inspiration and help to friends, co-workers, and employees. Through Michael’s encouragement, advice, example, and generosity others were able to flourish in their lives and careers. His family is only now hearing about many of these stories of how Mike influenced others towards success.
Michael was preceded in death, by his father and best friend, Willard; his mother-in-law, Judith Nobles; and his sister-in-law, Debilyn Jones. He is survived by his mother, Wilma; his brother, Brian (Tina); his forever wife, Tara; his two sons, Thomas (Leah) and Keven (Whitney); his nephew, Darin Higgins (Sarah); his nieces, Tabitha Meldrum and Deseree Marini (Anthony); his great niece, Samantha; his great nephews, Michael, Dean, Ryder, and Easton; his father-in-law, Ralph Nobles; and many other relatives and friends, who will all miss him dearly. While he will be greatly missed by those of us who temporarily remain in this mortal sphere, we know that he was welcomed back to his Heavenly home with open arms, and his family and friends are eternally grateful for the blessings of having known and loved him.
A graveside service will be held on the morning of Saturday, June 14, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. We invite you to dress casually, a la Mikie.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Big Brothers Big Sisters at bigs.com
If you have memories and/or pictures that you are willing to share, please help us to celebrate and honor Mike’s life by uploading them at www.dignitymemorial.com