JONES, Matthew Isaac - b. March 13, 1972 - d. July 14, 2026

[patyrn]

Matthew Isaac Jones, age 54, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly at his home on July 14, 2026.  He was born in Emporia, Kansas on March 13, 1972 to parents, Tim and Cherri (Neises) Jones.  This is the day that his father walked home from the hospital down the middle of 12th Street in Emporia at 3:00 a.m. playing his harmonica, so happy to be Matthew's dad.

Matthew spent his early childhood in Colorado Springs, Colorado where he and his dad spent many hours "bear hunting" at Garden of the Gods.  They never found a bear, but they sure did spend a lot of time looking.  Matthew began Kindergarten in Pittsburg, Kansas, but spent most of his school years in Wichita, Kansas where his intelligence and love of learning earned him numerous academic honors.  He was named Student of the Year upon graduating from Jardine Junior High School.  During this time, he purchased his first Apple computer and knew he wanted to grow up to be a computer programmer.  He graduated from Wichita South High School in 1990.

After earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas, following in his mother's footsteps, Matthew built a career doing what he loved.  He worked for the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri before joining the City of Lenexa in 2004 as a Database Engineer where he remained until his death. 

Matthew was an exceptional son, brother, uncle, friend, and one of those quietly extraordinary people whose kindness, intelligence, humor, and curiosity left a lasting impression on everyone who truly knew him.  To his parents, he would always be their "Number 1 Son".  To his sister, Aaron, he was forever 'the best date ever" - her favorite companion for concerts, road trips, and adventures.  To his nephews, he was "the Amazing Uncle Matt".  To his sister-in-law, Tracey, he was simply her "Favorite Conversation".  The world has lost a beautiful soul. 

Matthew possessed a wonderfully curious mind.  He loved learning simply for the joy of learning.  He rarely met a book he didn't want to read.  He enjoyed collecting music of all kinds.  The band, Phish, was his favorite, and he planned yearly vacations around attending multiple Phish concerts with his buddies.  He could hold a thoughtful conversation about almost any subject, often approaching problems from an unexpected angle with dry wit and original insight.  Friends knew him as intelligent, creative. quietly funny, and endlessly curious.  Like his father, he was imaginative, analytical, and a deep thinker. 

Matthew is survived by his parents, Tim Jones and Cherri Neises; his sister, Aaron Norris and spouse, Tracey; nephews, Trevor Alan and Steven Isaac; his aunts and uncles, Bruce and Deniese Jones, Linda and David Smith, Rita Musson, Stephen Neises, and Johnnie and Gordon Pfeifer; cousins, Marcy Reed, Travis Hollingsworth, Erica Jones, Christopher Jones, and Shane Beck.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Vernon and Clara Jones, Agnes Neises, and John and Bill Neises; and one uncle, LeRoy Lynn Jones.  Ramsey-Yost Funeral Home and Crematory of Lawrence, Kansas has been entrusted with arrangements.

Matthew will be remembered for his gentle spirit, brilliant mind, quiet humor, and the deep love he shared with those fortunate enough to know him.  The family is deeply grateful for the love, friendship, and support shown throughout his life and during this difficult time.  In honor of Matthew's lifelong love of learning, books, music, and public radio, memorial contributions can be made to NPR or to a local organization of your choice that inspires reading, curiosity, and creativity. 

(taken from the Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home website)
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Matthew's parents, Tim and Cherri,  and grandparents, Vernon and Clara Jones and Agnes Neises, were all former residents of Howard, Kansas.