David Keith Jones

David Keith Jones, age 86, passed away peacefully at home in his sleep, in Placitas, New Mexico, Saturday, November 11, 2023.  He was born May 28, 1937, in Worcester, Massachusetts to Milton C. Jones and Margaret “Peggy” L. (Dodsworth) Jones.  He was a graduate of South High School in Worcester, Mass., Class of 1956.  He attended Worcester Junior College, and transferred to University of Massachusetts where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965.  He proudly served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, U.S. Army from 1954 to 1957 and in the U.S. Navy on the USS Kirkpatrick from 1958 until 1960.  In 1967 David married the love of his life, Karen Anne Johnson, at Church of Christ, Stratford, Connecticut.  After attaining his B.A., he became a history teacher for 6 months and then took a job with Aetna Life insurance Co., where he remained employed until his retirement in 1996.  David had a lifelong interest in and affection for the history of the American West, as evidenced by his extensive, carefully built collection of books on the subject.  One of his greatest joys was retiring to New Mexico where he could immerse himself in the landscape and culture he loved.  Later in life, he became interested in family history, and wrote a book on his English ancestors’ immigration to Worcester, Massachusetts.  He loved baking bread, working in his yard, exploring the Southwest, and above all spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Milton and Peggy Jones.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Karen Anne Jones; daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and David Francis of Brunswick, Maine; son, Ian Jones of Placitas, NM; daughter and son-in-law, Hannah and Will Duncan of Rio Rancho, NM; grandchildren, Thad, Aidan and Drew of Rio Rancho, NM; brother, Donald D. Jones of California; sister, Margaret Bishop of Worcester, Massachusetts; several nephews and nieces.