David W. Jones

1945 - 2023

David W. Jones, 78, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, at Mercy Hallmar in Cedar Rapids, after a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease and complications due to COVID-19. The funeral service that will include military honors will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at The Legacy Center at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. A Celebration of Life Gathering will immediately follow the service from 3 to 5 p.m. at The Legacy Center. Dave was born Jan. 10, 1945, in Mark, Iowa, the son of Wesley and Vina Fay (Arnold) Jones. He grew up in Bloomfield, Iowa, and graduated from Davis County Community High School and Kirkwood Community College and took a course from the Capital Radio Engineering Institute. Dave honorably served his county in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. On Dec. 14, 1963, Dave was united in marriage to Mada Ritz. He loved traveling the world as a field service engineer for Rockwell Collins and made friends wherever he went before retiring in 2000. He was instrumental in originating a local group, Compassionate Friends, for bereaved parents. Coming from a foundation of love, strength, honesty and optimism, Dave assisted in creating an 'early onset' Parkinson's Support group in Cedar Rapids. He loved riding motorcycles, especially Hondas. He had a passion for music. Dave enjoyed live local jams, professional concerts and listening to the oldies. He was a past Mason at the Mount Vernon Masonic Lodge. Dave could build or do anything he set his mind to. Dave was known for his quick wit, great sense of humor and devotion to help others. He served as a loving example to his friends and family of a life well lived. Dave will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him. Survivors include his wife, Mada Jones; daughter, Elaina (Brad) Shoemaker; grandchildren, Jessica, Daniel and Ryan; five great-grandchildren, all of Cedar Rapids; sisters, Lillie John, Dorothy Kapke and Mary Loney; as well as many nieces and nephews. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Fay Jones; brother, Robert Jones; and son, Lynn William Jones. The family would like to thank the staff and doctors at Mercy Hallmar and the VA Hospital and clinics for their compassionate care. Memorials may be directed to the family. Please share a memory of Dave at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.