James Daniel Jones, known by family and friends as Dan or Danny, was born on November 15, 1956, and entered the kingdom of heaven on Tuesday morning, March 3, 2026.  He was 69 years old.

Dan was born in Houston, Texas to Vera and James Jones and was raised in the Denver Harbor and Hidden Valley communities. He was the baby of the family, with two older sisters (Patty and Shirley) coming before him.  Dan loved football.  As a young boy, he played on several little league teams.  After the family moved to the north side, Dan attended Aldine High School and was a proud member of the Mustang Football Team.  He graduated from Aldine in 1975 and went on to put himself through college.  On August 16, 1980, he graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a Criminal Justice Degree.

Dan and Dianne began dating in 1977 but have known each other since childhood.  He was best friends with Daryl Weigelt.  Daryl and his family went to church with Dianne and her parents at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.  The Langes and Weigelts went on several vacations together and Dan went too.  He and Daryl did not have anything to do with Dianne back then.  They did their own "boy things".  That all changed in 1977 when Daryl's wife, Debbie, did a little matchmaking.  Dan and Dianne's love story began on October 8, 1977, with a double date consisting of dinner at a pizza joint and a Clint Eastwood movie.

In November of 1980, Dan proposed to Dianne at the restaurant, Don The Beachcomber.  After several months of planning, they were married on May 16, 1981, at Trinity Lutheran Church.  Dan became a baptized and confirmed member of Trinity on December 19, 1982.

On March 2, 1983, they welcomed their first child, Bruce Daniel.  Five years later, on August 2, 1988, their family was complete with baby girl, Katie Renee'.  When Bruce and Katie were in school, Dan was involved with them at church.  He served several years as a Crew Team Leader, earning the love and respect of Trinity's young people.  He and Dianne also went on a few Crew Workcamp trips.  The worship and fellowship with other parents and youth was life changing for him.

At Trinity, Dan was a devoted member of an usher team and the Men's Club for many years.  He also sang in the Men's Choir.  He loved serving the Lord in his own special, quiet way.

Dan was very involved with his family.  He worked with Bruce in cub scouts and then in boy scouts.  Dan especially loved the scout camping trips.... probably more than Bruce did!  One of the highlights for Dan was when the scouts went whitewater rafting in Colorado.  While Katie was attending Klein Oak High School, she played clarinet in the marching band.  Dan loved being a "Band Dad".  He, Dianne, and Dianne's parents went to every football game and band contest to watch Katie. Bruce played football at Concordia High School and Dan thoroughly enjoyed going to those games.  He also loved going to the family lake house on Lake Livingston.  Dan was also an avid hunter, always looking forward to November when deer season began.  He loved his time at the lease with his buddies sitting around the campfire and telling stories about the day in their stand.

Another love of Dan's was the 30 plus years of sports officiating.  He was on a high school football crew for many years, earning the privilege of officiating at a high school championship game played at the Dallas Cowboys' stadium in Arlington, Texas.  He also officiated little league football, baseball, and girls' softball.  He really enjoyed the sportsmanship of girls' softball and was thrilled when his youngest granddaughter, Bailey, became active in that sport.  Brinley, his first granddaughter, is a budding tennis player.  Brinley and Bailey's love of sports definitely came from their Pops.

In December of 2010, Dan and Dianne had the honor of being asked by Robby Fischer for Katie's hand in marriage.  They were so excited of gaining Robby as another son.  Then, on June 25, 2011, Dan had the privilege of walking Katie down the aisle to a very happy groom.  Robby fit right in with the family, becoming a brother to Bruce.  Dan, Bruce, and Robby enjoyed going fishing and hunting together.

On July 25, 2014, Dan became "Pops" to Brinley and on December 3, 2016, to Bailey.  He was in love with those two baby girls.  He and Dianne were always going to see them and fighting over who would hold the baby.  Over the years, Robby, the family vacation planner, would organize many family vacations.  The beach was always the first choice of their getaways.  Galveston was the destination for a few years and then Robby got them hooked on Orange Beach, Alabama.  Dan thoroughly enjoyed the days on the beach, playing in the sand with his girls.

Dan also loved to go on cruises.  His first cruise was with Dianne, her parents, and a group from church.  His last cruise was with Dianne, Katie, Robby, Brinley, and Bailey.  Dan loved spending time with his family.

Dan's work career was spent with several home builders in the Houston area.  While he was with David Weekley Homes, he earned a trip to Maui.   He and Dianne had a fabulous time soaking up the Hawaiian sun.  As he neared retirement, he worked as an inspector for a commercial construction company.   After retirement, he continued working part time at Lowe's in Tomball until his illness became too much for him.

A few years ago, Dan's family started noticing that he was beginning to have memory issues and seemed a bit "off".  After a visit with his primary doctor and some tests, he was referred to a neurologist.  On January 3, 2024, he was officially diagnosed with Early Alzheimer's Dementia.  On September 29, 2025, Dianne realized he did not know who she was.  He asked Dianne if she could take him to his wife.  That was heartbreaking.  In December 2025, his condition was now Severe Alzheimer's.  On February 20, Dan was taken by ambulance to the hospital with the thought of him having an infection.  After several tests and daily bloodwork, he was diagnosed with kidney failure.  Due to the extent of his Alzheimer's, the decision was made not to proceed with dialysis.  The family chose to put Dan on hospice and let nature take its course.  Since February 8, Dan was a resident in a lovely care home, Kenneth and Bernard Residential Care Home run by Maya Mae Ross, Toni Brown, and Jacori Rox.  Dan returned to Maya's care on Monday, February 23.  Hospice began their service to him also.  By the end of the week, he was really deteriorating.  Dianne, Katie, and Betty spent the night with Dan on Monday, March 2......praying he would not pass away on Bruce's birthday.  Pastor Johnson came on Tuesday morning for the Commendation of the Dying service.  When he finished and said the final "amen" after the Lord's Prayer, Dan took his last breath at 10:30 am while holding Dianne and Katie's hands. He was surrounded by his family and lots of love.  He took his first step in heaven into the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Dan is survived by his loving wife of almost 45 years, Dianne; beloved daughter, Katie; special son-in-love, Robby;  beautiful granddaughters, Brinley and Bailey; best mother-in-love, Betty Lange; best nephews, Christopher and Andrew Gidden; special cousins, Bob and Nate Bonora.

Preceding Dan in death are his son, Bruce; mother, Vera; father, James; Sisters, Shirley Bickford and Patty Gidden; Grandparents, Bruce and Lillian Smith; Father-in-Love, Barnell Lange.

Dan's family would like to thank all of the people at SarahCare of the Woodlands.  This is the best adult daycare place.  They really enjoyed Dan, even though he thought he was going to "work".  Also, Kenneth & Bernard Residential Care Home was such a blessing to Dan and Dianne.  Maya, Toni, and Jacori took care of Dan as if he were family.  Their love and attention to his care was truly a gift from God.  Also, thank you to all of the Jones, Lange, Fischer, Starnes, and David families, Ralph and Janet Sackchewsky, Ginger Kiker, Kathy Douglas, Norma Owen, Dianne's Klein Funeral Home Family, the family of friends at Trinity for all the love and support as Dan travelled this very rough road.

To God Be The Glory!!  Amen!!