Dennis Lee Jones

Seeing the goodness in everyone and treating people with kindness was his superpower. He would tilt his head sideways, look you in the eye, smile, and talk to you s-l-o-w-l-y and sincerely.

Dennis Lee Jones was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on December 11, 1953, to Delbert and Sadye Jones, the second of five children, all with names starting with the letter "D."

He was raised in a loving and disciplined Christian home on the east side of Des Moines. He attended Des Moines Public Schools before studying at DMACC, Drake University, and the University of Iowa. Dennis was a member of Corinthian Baptist Church, where he was baptized at age 11 and took part in a variety of church programs and groups.

If you visited his home, one of the first things he would ask was, “Are you hungry? Do you want something to eat?” By feeding you with food, he also fed you spiritually.

He developed deep friendships that lasted his lifetime.

Dennis relocated to San Diego in the late 1970s, where he married and raised four children while working for Xerox Corporation for 18 years. He enjoyed coaching basketball in YMCA recreation programs, camping trips throughout California, ocean cruises, and writing poetry. It was important to him that his California family and Des Moines family maintained a close connection, so visits to Iowa were frequent. Dennis and his family united with New Creation Church in San Diego, California.

“Confidence in God’s Word is your strength.” — Proverbs 3:26

Dennis returned to Des Moines in 2004 due to heart health issues but continued to travel to California to spend time with his children. He reunited with Corinthian Baptist Church upon his return.

Dennis faced his heart health challenges with dignity. The medications and seven pacemaker implants over 26 years were debilitating, but he remained positive, reading healing scriptures, drinking his special smoothies every day, and doing all he could to stay healthy.

Dennis lived as a loving caregiver for his family, his father, his mother, and animals. He persevered through his own pain and health conditions, providing soothing comfort and improving the lives of those closest to him.

Dennis was preceded in death by his father, Delbert Jones.

He leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Sadye Fristo; his wife, Lori; his sons, Lee, Brandon, and Marques; his daughter, Annisa; his granddaughters, Mia and Zoe, all of San Diego; his brothers, Del (Rebecca), Doug (Jane), and David (Nancy); his sister, DeLora (Michael) of Tampa; his stepsons, Ryan Collier and Butchie Collier; his niece and nephew, Cindy and Mel Shaw; his nephews, David Allen (Ketra) and Daviere; his aunt, Nancy Robinson of Maryland; and many cousins and extended family members.

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