Matthew Isaac Jones

Matthew Isaac Jones, 54, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly at his home on July 14, 2026. He 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 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 12^th street, at 3:00 A.M., playing his harmonica, so happy to be Matthew’s dad.

Matthew spent his early childhood in Colorado Springs, 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, 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 another long run of academic successes; including being a National Merit Scholar Finalist, a State of Kansas Scholar, a Kansas Regents Honors Academy at Pittsburg State University, and invited to the Governors Mansion in Topeka, KS for a recognition ceremony to honor the top one percent of all Kansas high school seniors.

After earning his Bachelor of Science 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 before joining the City of Lenexa in 2004 as a Database Engineer, where he remained until his death.

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, and 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.

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.  Memorial Services will be at 12:00 noon Friday, July 24, 2026 at Unity Church of Lawrence at 900 Madeline Lane, Lawrence, Kansas 66044 with lunch to follow.