Thomas Dawson Jones of Endwell, NY passed away on January 29, 2025 surrounded by love. Born in Taylor, Pennsylvania to Beatrice and Edward Jones on November 21, 1934, Tom grew up in a loving household in the coalmining town of Moosic, Pennsylvania, where he mastered both street smarts and academic excellence graduating valedictorian of his class. Always a storyteller, he would reminisce about his childhood in Moosic, where he witnessed the sacrifices of the miners, WWII soldiers, and their families and where he roamed the town with his friends, played stickball in sandlots, listened to the Brooklyn Dodgers and NY Yankee games on the radio, and learned the importance of stories as a way to connect with people and their past.

In 1956, Tom graduated from East Stroudsburg State College with a bachelor’s in science that led to a 37-year teaching career in the Maine-Endwell School District.  Tom loved being a teacher.  He discovered his calling, and Maine-Endwell became a second home.  It was at M-E where he proudly became a founding teacher of the Maine-Endwell Senior High, taught students who meant the world to him, mentored and worked with creative and intelligent teachers, and built one of the strongest K-12 science programs in the area.  It was also where his children thrived and he met the love of his life, Laura. 

It was common to hear Tom’s booming voice through the halls of Maine-Endwell.  As one of his colleagues said, “It didn’t matter if Tom was teaching 20 kids or 8, his voice and commitment never changed.”  He taught with enthusiasm for his students, the sciences, and a belief in education relying on a background that included a master’s degree from the University of Oregon, where he learned from trailblazers in DNA like Francis Crick and Franklin Stahl. As Science Coordinator, he worked with teachers to create a strong curriculum and hands on experiences for students of all ages that ran from local field trips and 6^th Grade Camp to classes at Kopernik Observatory, marine biology trips to Montauk, AP Bio field studies, and a Science Olympiad team that won multiple state and national awards.  After retirement, he continued to support Maine-Endwell through grant writing and coaching Science Olympiad.

Tom was a person who could get lost in his big brain at times, but he had a special way of leading his life with his big heart.  Giving back to Endwell and the surrounding communities was important to him.  He was an adjunct professor at Binghamton University’s Master’s in Teaching program and President of the Science Supervisors Association of NY as a way to impact the future of public schools.  He served as lay leader for 17 years at the Endwell United Methodist Church and led Monday night dinners with Laura for those most in need.  He was a member of the Endwell Rotary for over 40 years earning the Paul Harris Award three times.  And, he partnered with community leaders on local safety initiatives that still exist in some form today, like Party in the Park after-prom celebration and drug-free schools.

Ever a modest man, Tom wasn’t about personal recognition but a love for his profession, his community, life’s blessings, and above all his family and friends.  He was an avid reader of history and Robert Ludlum novels, a jazz enthusiast, a Penn State and NY Giants football fan, and a traveler.  He enjoyed a good meal and cold martini at his local haunts, a peaceful night on the deck with Laura, and any time with his children and grandchildren.  Beyond all else, he was an ever present and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He leaves behind his wife and best friend of nearly 55 years, Laura Jones; his children, Don and Dodie Jones; his daughter-in-law, Katrina Kuzyszyn-Jones; his amazing grandsons, Dylan and Dawson Jones; as well as extended family and dear friends. The gratitude for all the memories we shared will sustain us through this time.  A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at the Endwell United Methodist Church on Wednesday, February 12^th.  Calling hours will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 am and the service from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.

The Jones Family would like to thank Dr. John Perry of EFP for his care and support of Tom.  They would also like to thank Dr. Akter and the many nurses at Guthrie Lourdes and Guthrie Lourdes Hospice who gave Tom such good care and grace during the last month of his life.

Gifts in memory of Tom Jones may be made to the Binghamton Fund for the Decker College of Nursing and Health Science (go to http://giving.binghamton.edu/, write "Decker College of Nursing in memory of nurse, Linda Barnfather", in comments), Monday night dinners at the Endwell United Methodist Church (https://endwellumc.org), Endwell Rotary (https://endwellrotaryclubcom.wordpress.com) and Maine-Endwell Assisting Local Spartans (https://www.me.stier.org/page/m-eals-program ).