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Obituary for Giffin D. Jones

Giffin D. Jones, age 98 of Midland, passed away Friday December 30, 2016 at MidMichigan Medical Center in Midland. The son of the late Flint H. and Olive (Sweet) Jones was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin on December 16, 1918. His undergraduate education was at the University of Wisconsin in Madison; in 1939 he transferred to the University of Illinois where he earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry. In 1947 Gif began working in Central Research at Dow Chemical Company. During his career with Dow he was director of the Physical Research Laboratory for twelve years. He had been the director of the E.C. Britton Lab for two years when he was named Research Scientist in 1970. Gif retired from Dow in 1983. He enjoyed writing poetry, making clay sculptures and learning about archaeology and current events. On September 9, 1939 Gif married the former Marian Elizabeth Cave (also a University of Wisconsin graduate) in Milwaukee, WI and after 65 years of marriage she passed away in 2004. He was a member of Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Midland.

Surviving are his children, Marilyn Jones of Yonkers, New York; Jacqueline Leigh and her husband Samuel of Freetown, Sierra Leone; Eric Jones and his wife Sheila Burvill of Ottawa, Ontario; and Candace Lee of Traverse City; as well as his grandchildren, Sibyl Harleston, Simone Anderson, Samuel Leigh, Rachael Lee and Webster Lee; and six great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents and wife Gif was preceded in death by a brother, Edwin.

Per the wishes of Mr. Jones, cremation has taken place. A gathering time to celebrate his life took place Monday January 2, 2017 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home 4210 N. Saginaw Rd Midland. Interment of his ashes will be in Midland City Cemetery. Memorials in Mr. Jones’ name may be offered to UNICEF or the organization of one’s choice. Personal messages of condolence may be offered at www.wilson-miller.com .

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