By Cara Cowan Watts | Cherokee 411
April 15, 1952 – July 2, 2026
Tahlequah, Oklahoma
United Keetoowah Band Citizen
David “Chief” Michael Jones Sr, born April 15, 1952, in Tahlequah, was born to Raymond and Virgina Jones. Dave went to his heavenly home on July 2, 2026, at the age of 74. During his time here, he enjoyed driving and working on those good ole American muscle cars (his favorite was his big 57 Bel Air), drag racing, playing softball (who threw 2 no hitters in slow pitch), baseball, and basketball. He also enjoyed walking out in the woods with his father and brothers chasing those monster bucks and big doe. If he wasn’t working at his jobs or helping take care of his family, he was near water with a pole in his hand trying to snag some spoonbill or trying to catch that one big fish everyone said that got away. As he grew older his hobbies didn’t change much, he just added a few other players and helpers along the way. Dave still played softball but added coach to his resume. He enjoyed watching his family participate in all their activities. Dave was a family man; he loved his children with all he had. He would do anything to make sure they were happy. He was a man that loved to tell stories of the “olden” days, and even made stories just to make people laugh. Dave worked at Phillips 66 for years and Cherokee County District 2 barn for 26 till he retired. Dave made lots of friends and loved playing tricks on the guys. In his retirement days he enjoyed his family time, and “pitling” around the house, working on cars, watching sports on TV, or watching a movie he liked on repeat, or just teaching the kids “old Indian tricks”. Dave was a man of many things, but his favorite was being a father and a papa. He would always brag about us all. He was a man that couldn’t express in words that he loved you, but man, would he show you.
