Dr. Daniel M. Jones

Obituary of Captain Daniel M Jones, USNR, ret.

April 30th, 1928 – May 11th, 2026

Daniel Jones passed away at his home in Exeter, California on May 11th, 2026, at the age of 98. Daniel was born in a farmhouse lacking electricity and indoor plumbing in Samaria, Idaho on April 30th, 1928. His parents were Daniel and Mary Jones. Daniel attended school in Samaria and Malad, Idaho. In 1944, Daniel’s father sold the family farm and moved the family to Ogden, Utah. Daniel graduated from Ogden High School in 1946. He attended Idaho State University for two years studying pharmacology. In order to further his education, he joined the Navy ROTC who sent him to the University of Washington. Daniel graduated with a B.S. in pharmacology in 1951 and a M.S. in pharmacology in 1952. Daniel met the love of his life Carolyn Hahn at the University of Washington. After a whirlwind romance, they became engaged, and were soon married in Forest Hills, New York in 1951. They remained married for 63 years until Carolyn’s passing in 2014. After graduation, Daniel wished to be assigned to the Navy Supply Corp so that he could remain with Carolyn, but the Navy had other ideas and ordered him to join the crew of the USS LST 1080 on its way to Korea during the war. Daniel served as an ensign and as chief of an anti-aircraft gun crew in combat in Korea. After the war Daniel became a researcher with the Navy Radiological Defense Laboratory in San Francisco doing Cold War research on the effects of atomic blasts. It was during this time that daughter Lauralyn was born. In 1956 he left the navy to attend Yale Medical School, but rejoined the navy after two years. Daniel graduated from Yale in 1960 and did his internship and residency in radiology in New York City. It was during this time that son Daniel Mark Jones joined the family. In 1964 Daniel became the chief of radiology at the U.S. Naval Hospital, Memphis, TN. His son Gareth (Gary) was born in Memphis in 1964. In 1966 the family moved to Yokosuka, Japan where Daniel was the chief of radiology at the U.S. Naval Hospital. The family moved to San Leandro, California in 1969, where Daniel was the assistant chief of radiology at the Oakland Naval Medical Center (Oak Knoll). Daniel left active duty and joined the Navy Reserve in 1970. Daniel moved the family to Exeter and joined a radiological partnership which became the Mineral King Radiological Group in 1972. Daniel was the chairman of the department of radiology at Kaweah Delta Hospital in Visalia from 1972 until his retirement in 1990. He also worked at the Exeter and Lindsay Hospitals and did his navy reserve duty at the Lemoore NAS Hospital. In 1986-1987, he was president of the medical staff at Kaweah Delta Hospital. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the California Radiological Society and a Fellow of the American College of Radiology. Dan and Lyn loved to travel and took overseas trips most every year. After retirement they bought a motor home and hit the road, taking trips all over the country including one all the way to Key West. Dan was a HAM radio enthusiast and a member of the Radio Club of Visalia. A fan of classical music, he had season tickets to the Tulare County Symphony until he was no longer physically able to attend the concerts. Dan and Lyn also enjoyed playing bridge with their bridge group. After Lyn’s passing, Dan liked taking Gadabout senior bus excursions all over California. Dan was an Elk and a member of the Military Officers Association. He was an active member of both the Exeter Presbyterian Church and the Exeter Kiwanis Club since 1971. Above all, Daniel was a wonderful and loving son, husband, father, and grandfather. Family always came first for him. He was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn and his brother Boyd Jones of North Ogden, UT. He is survived by his sisters Audrey Henrie of North Ogden, UT and Marilyn Lasater of Saint George, UT, his daughter Lauralyn Jones (Fred) of Snohomish, WA, his son Mark Jones (Barbara) of South Surrey, British Columbia, his son Gary Jones (Shelly) of Visalia, CA, and six grandchildren: Kathlyn, Kevin, Trevor, Allison, Lexie, and Aaron. Daniel faithfully served his country, church, and community. 

Graveside service at the Exeter Cemetery at 10:00 AM on June 18th followed by a service and lunch at the Exeter Presbyterian Church

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