Michael Allen Jones, born December 30, 1971 in Clermont, Florida passed away on September 3, 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Michael is survived by his mother Barbara Hunt Jones Apodaca, father and step-mother Edward A. and Patty Jones; sisters Kimberly Jones Laird (Eric) and Lia Apodaca Kerwin (Patrick); step-brothers Mark and Mike Apodaca; and two nieces and one nephew (godson), Julia and Mariah Wallis, and Maxwell VanArsdale.
Michael was better known as Mike by his close friends, as Mr. Jones by all of his students, and as Coach Jones by all of his baseball players with whom he held personal and everlasting relationships with throughout his life. Mike’s deep faith, gracious smile, warm-welcoming and humorous character touched all who knew him. He had a caring disposition, a gentle and humble soul, and always sought to make individual and unceasing connections with each of his friends and students.
Mike grew up in Clermont and graduated from Clermont High School in 1990 where he played and earned 17 varsity letters in five athletics: cross country, football (kicker), basketball (forward), track and field (discus), and baseball (a pitcher). Mike always worked hard to put his best performance and spirited competitiveness forward in sports, and he became “Clermont famous” with numerous trophies, awards, and recognitions for his athleticism and academics, including kicking a state-record 55-yard field goal.
Mike went on to play baseball at The University of Alabama from 1990-1992, and during his first year, he also walked onto the Alabama football team as a special team’s kicker. Mike’s passion in Christian ministry and faith also deepened in his first year of college. From then on, he would forever devote his life to serving Christ and becoming an educator. He participated heavily in campus ministries and mission-based activities including XA ‘Chi Alpha’ (Christian Action Fellowship) and Athletes in Action. Mike also pioneered with others a young adult ministry at the First Wesleyan Church in Tuscaloosa, 1995-1996, and by serving as a Youth Pastor with Woodland Forrest Baptist Church from 1999-2001.
Since 1995, Mike served as a licensed educator, dedicating 15 years with the Tuscaloosa County School System in Alabama where he coached many sports and taught many social studies courses at Hillcrest High School. He then went on to teach government and civics courses at South Lake High School in Clermont for one year and at The First Academy in Orlando, Florida for three years. Since 2017, he taught social studies, geography, and economics subjects at Tonopah High School, becoming a 2nd generation teacher with the Nevada Nye County School District, following his mother’s footsteps.
Mike’s pursuit to read, study, travel, and increase his own knowledge in the Word of the Lord, international affairs, and economics never ceased. His declared purpose in life was “to live to learn, and to live to love.” Ultimately, his personal goal was to leave a legacy with everyone he encountered. Mike loved to mentor, coach, and interact with his students in many facets, and he thought of teaching as both a science and an art. He taught in a way that fostered others’ deeper understanding and confidence to share what they had learned. As one former student so perfectly reflected, “Mike instilled in his students that knowledge is the key, and with knowledge, you hold the power to change the world. Little did he know he changed the world himself, one student at a time.” His indescribable influence, encouragement, and cultivation truly touched the lives of many.
Mike will be privately buried at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Clermont next to his grandparents Jimmy and Hazel Ruth Hunt.
He touched the lives of many and will be well-remembered by all his friends, classmates, teammates, and students.
Clermont High School mourns another good guy.
A Celebration of Life in honor of Mike’s remarkable and precious life will be held at The First United Methodist Church, Clermont, FL, on September 25, 2021, at 3:00 p.m.
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