David Price Jones
David Price Jones passed away February 21, 2022. He was born on January 20, 1935 to Owen Price Jones and Ruth Carolyn Ladwig Jones in Berkeley, California and raised in neighboring El Cerrito. He graduated from the University of California at Berkeley and Cal’s Boalt Hall School of Law in 1961.
David had three major interests, his family, the practice of law, and involvement in community service. As an undergraduate at Cal, Dave took the Pre-Legal Speech classes that were taught using the Socratic method as in law school using famous U.S. Supreme Court cases on the Bill of Rights, due process and equal protection. The classes, plus his election to a student body office, convinced him to stay on for a law degree from Boalt.
Once graduated, he received a Ford Foundation Fellowship to serve one year as an intern to the Chairman of the California Assembly Judiciary Committee in Sacramento. He brought a lot away from the experience. The Chairman once told him, “Go to a place where you want to live. If you are a good lawyer, you’ll make a living there, and you will be happy."
He met a vivacious young woman living in the apartment across the hall, and within six months, they were engaged. Once married, they headed for Novato in 1962. David joined Bob Carrow, and the firm grew from Carrow and Jones to later become Carrow, Jones, Applen and Forest. The next move brought a lifetime of satisfaction. David became the “Jones” in Palmer, Grundstrom, Duckworth and Jones. He was there for over 35 years. It was just Palmer & Jones when he retired after 49 years of practicing law. He served on the Board of Directors of the Marin County Bar Association, served as State Bar Court Judge, and was recognized for his many hours of pro bono work.
After moving to Novato he became involved in community activities. The Novato Junior Chamber of Commerce named him Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1965. David was elected to the Novato City Council and was Mayor 1974-75. He joined the Rotary Club of Novato in 1975 and became club president in 1988-89. He became the first president of the Novato Youth Soccer Association and served as president of the Novato Civic Foundation which developed Pioneer Park. In addition, he was selected Chairperson of the Novato Education Foundation, charter member of the North Marin Breakfast Club, vice president of the Novato Historical Guild, chaired the Novato Area Boy Scouts, and served several years as Elder at the Presbyterian Church of Novato.
During fall college football seasons, university was part of every family weekend. David, Cal; Stanford; Erin, USC and Kay, LSU. David’s cheers
Bears!” would be emailed and then challenged other three.
David and Kay traveled the world, including Europe, Asia, India, and Africa. David’s enjoyments were reading, golf, watching old movies, and fantasy football. Kay’s and his 59 years of marriage were inspired by a shared love of history, travel, mountain and ocean retreats, evening "deck time," and 49er football. David relished opportunities to be involved in the lives of his children and grandchildren. He volunteered once a week in two of his grandsons’ classrooms between kindergarten and the third grade and followed each of his grandchildren’s athletic exploits with a fervor matched only by that for his fantasy football team. His family and friends recognized and appreciated Dave’s gentle spirit, genuine interest and ability to listen.
David is survived by wife Kay; son Gared (Elizabeth); daughter Erin (Jason); and seven grandchildren: Beatrice, Victoria, Jake, Carson, Taylor (Alissa), Delaney, and Michael.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Novato, 710 Wilson Avenue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Endowment Fund of the Novato Presbyterian Church, the Novato Rotary Endowment, P.O. Box 657, Novato, CA 94948, or to a charity of their selection.