Paul Lee Jones

Paul Lee Jones passed away peacefully with family by his side on Tuesday, January 20, after a short illness. Paul was born on April 9, 1942, in Storm Lake, Iowa, to Marshall and Norma Jones. He moved to Davis at the start of high school, and graduated from Davis Senior High School and Sacramento City College before joining the U.S. Coast Guard.

He then worked for the University of California, Davis for 39 years in Biochemistry/Molecular and Cellular Biology, where he ran the “MCB Shop” in Briggs Hall/Life Sciences, caring for the electronic needs of countless laboratories. Paul could fix anything.

Paul married Anne McNeil in 1966. His family was always his pride and joy. For 60 years, he was a devoted Dad, Papa, and husband extraordinaire; bird watcher, bat enthusiast and supporter of environmental protection efforts. He rarely missed a single event— including every game his children and then his grandchildren participated in. Paul's presence in the outfield with his long camera lens was a common sight for many, as well at birthdays, UC Davis football games, wildlife sightings or sunsets over the ocean in Carmet.

He cared for it all deeply and photographed everything. At SF Giants’ home games, Paul took great pleasure in photographing the scoreboard when pictures of those seated around him appeared, and then offering to send a print of it to the subjects. Paul also treasured his many long-time friendships with members of his local bowling league, his beloved ‘Georges Mobil’ and many other softball teams throughout the years.

Paul is survived by his wife Anne; daughter Susan Jones; son Tommy Jones (Jamie); grandchildren Ben Eckels (Dana Grainger), Joshua Bernhardt, Catherine Bernhardt, Elizabeth Jones, Emilee Jones, great-grandson Onyx Wuertz-Bernhardt; and his sister Pam James and her family. He was also filled with excitement and anticipation for the arrival of Baby Eckels this coming May. Paul was preceded in death by his son, Bobby Jones, in 1993.

The family will hold a private burial at the Davis Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The National Parks Foundation (Give.NationalParks.org), The Bat Conservation International (Donor.BatCon.org), Blood Cancer United (BloodCancerUnited.org), or a charity of your choice.