David M. Jones

David M. Jones passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by love, on February 5, 2026, just twelve days after his 85th birthday.

He was the class president of the Springfield High School Class of 1959. David attended Hiram College, where he ran track, and later continued his education at Kent State University. He retired from the Revere Board of Education in 2003 after spending decades coaching girls track alongside his brother-in-law and best friend, John Fuller. Together, “Jonesey” and Fuller coached champions and changed lives.

His greatest joys, however, were his three grandchildren, Joseph, Jensen, and Julia. As we look through pictures, we are reminded that he was always there — sharing love, laughter, and moments both special and ordinary. Through all of his medical challenges at the end of his life, they were his reason to keep fighting.

He was an amazing Papa, which came as no surprise, because he was an extraordinary dad to his two daughters, Julie Jones (Mishelle Harriger) and Jen Berardi (Joe).

Dave was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Barbara Fought Jones; his parents, Milford and Ruth Jones; his brother-in-law, Ben Fought; his sister-in-law, Mary Ann Fuller; his nieces, Cathy Gordish and Lisa Tripp; and his nephew, Mike Bennett.

Along with his daughters and their families, he is survived by his brother-in-law, John Fuller; his brother- and sister-in-law, Norman and Karen Phillips; Grant and Sue Bennett; and his sister-in-law, Rosalie Fought; as well as his nieces, nephews, and their families, who brought him continual joy and were the willing audience for his endless (and legendary) bad dad jokes.

He will be remembered for his kind smile, his positive influence, his tender heart, and his sense of humor. He was someone everyone loved and made those around him feel loved. He was a girl dad before it was cool, empowering his daughters to live life to the fullest, believing there was nothing they could not do. He did the same for his athletes, believing in them long before they believed in themselves.

As a runner, a coach, and a man of faith, these words from the Apostle Paul feel especially fitting:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord… will award to me on that day.” (2 Timothy 4:7–8)

He finished his race well, and we are overwhelmingly proud to have had him as our father.

Friends may visit Wednesday, February 11, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Road, Akron, OH 44312. Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 12, at 11:00 a.m. at Discover Church, 1825 Reimer Road, Wadsworth, OH 44281, with his nephew, Pastor Mark Phillips, presiding. Friends may also visit the church on Thursday from 10:00–11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Small Seeds Ministry at GoFundMe.com in support of Chaplain Scott’s Small Seed Ministry.