Nathaniel Patrick Jones Jr.

Sweet Patrick. I see him as a youngster romping around with Seth in their front yards, gathering Easter eggs with Sarah, Natashia, and Mike, dancing in his mother´s kitchen ["You go, Patrick!" says Pat], playing video games with Mike. While I cooked dinner, I´d hear my mother call to Patrick, "Patrick, come play `Go Fish´ with me." He was happy to oblige. Those were the days of popsicles and big wheels. I recall the day he and Natashia were waiting on their dad to drive their new suv home. They were so excited and couldn´t wait to see the new vehicle and to go for a ride. Children live authentically.

Patrick was brought up "old school" which meant treating people right, respecting elders, telling the truth, and following the path of God. I recall saying something to my kids about not lying and seeing Patrick nodding his head yes. He piped up with, "And you know why?" "Why?" I asked. "Because my mother says you look like a fool when you lie!" I could not have answered that any better than little Patrick had. And Patrick, also, was brought up greatly loved in a strong, close family.

It didn´t matter that the extended family was far in distance. They were close. Patrick and Natashia also were brought up in a close church community, their church family. Patrick had family, neighborhood, community, and faith. He valued his faith. He valued connections. He valued people. I know he valued me and my children, and we valued him. We miss Patrick, and now his absence for us, for me, Mike, and Sarah, is heavy with sadness because we know we no longer have the chance to see him again in this life.
We send deep, heart-felt sympathy, tears (many tears), and prayers to Nate, Natashia, the children, all Patrick´s family and friends.
Barb, Mike, and Sarah