Gerald "Jerry" Lee Jones

Gerald (Jerry) Lee Jones, 91, of Niles, Michigan passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 11, 2026 surrounded by family. Beloved son of the late Nobel D. and Mildred (Dockum) Jones, he was born on March 17,1935 in Kansas City, Missouri. He and college sweetheart Katherine Frances (Fran) Haas of Independence, Missouri were wed on December 21, 1954.

Jerry is survived by his spouse of 71 years K. Frances Jones, and sons D. Daniel Jones (Christine Nafe) of Vicksburg, Michigan, Michael Jones of Niles, Michigan, daughter Rachael Jones (Chris Keeley) of Valparaiso, Indiana, six grandchildren, Matt Keeley of Chicago, Illinois, Maren Jones of Portage, Michigan, Kara Jones (Evan Worthington) of Woodland Hills, California, Jeremy Jones (Bonnie Shum) of Richmond, California, Alexis Jones of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Halley Alhendi of Indianapolis, Indiana, four great grandchildren, Logan Jones, Theo Worthington, Zoe Worthington and Aurelia Jones, as well as cherished family friend Patty Cushing of Covington, Washington. He is also survived by many dear friends and colleagues who will miss his wit, mentorship, and camaraderie.

Jerry earned his bachelor’s degree (1956) and Ph.D. in physics (1961) from the University of Kansas. He then served as a post-doctoral research associate at the University of Iowa from 1961 to 1963.

He joined the faculty at the University of Notre Dame in 1963 as an assistant professor of physics. Over the next decade, he became tenured as full professor and served several years as chairman of the Notre Dame Physics Department. In 2005, Jerry retired from his long teaching career, honored for distinguished service as professor emeritus in 2005.    

Though a dedicated physicist with a passion for teaching, mentoring, and research, Jerry will be remembered fondly as a true outdoorsman and wild bird enthusiast. He loved camping, fishing, and boating, as well as caring for the resident blue birds and other wildlife that share space at the Jones homestead.  

During retirement, Jerry took up the cause for homeless animals and volunteered countless hours of support for adoption events, fostering, and dog walking. In lieu of flowers, donations to Heartland Small Animal Rescue in Mishawaka, Indiana, the Sierra Club, or other worthy charities would be deeply appreciated. A Celebration of Life gathering for Jerry will be hosted by family at a later date. 

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