Michael Jay Jones ’80 J.D. ’83, attorney at Law, aka Professor Jones/Coach Jones, passed away on July 13, 2015, after a brief but courageous battle with thyroid cancer. He was 58. He was a three-sport scholar-athlete at Pioneer High School 1976, played varsity football at Santa Clara University 1980 and graduated from Santa Clara University Law School in 1983. Mike joined and became a named partner at the law firm of Gallagher, Reedy & Jones in Los Gatos in 1983.
Mike touched so many lives during his all too brief time with us. Besides his law practice, he was a faculty member at both Santa Clara Law School and DeAnza Community College. He was the consummate teacher/coach/mentor. He loved coaching not only his own children, but continued coaching others after they were grown. Football was his passion and he so enjoyed working with high school athletes. He was respected and admired by many.
Family was everything to Mike. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Loretta, daughter Lauren J.D. ’13 and son Bryan. Also survived by his mother, June, brothers Sam (Michelle) and Tim (Amy), sister Becky ’83, J.D. ’87 and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father Samuel E. Jones Sr.