Christopher Douglas Jones

Christopher Douglas Jones, age 53, a loving and dedicated father, son, brother and friend, a patriot and one of the great travelers of the world, died on November 16, 2022, in Norman, Oklahoma.

He was born in Oklahoma City and was deeply loved by his family who have preceded him in death, including his grandparents, Howard and Joyce James and Colonel Waldo and Em Jones.

He graduated with a degree in philosophy from the University of Oklahoma after first studying at the University of Wyoming.  He effortlessly translated the words he read into his everyday life and quoted equally from Longfellow, Sartre, Marcus Aurelius, Dostoyevsky, Aldous Huxley, Hunter S. Thompson, and Homer Simpson.  He personified the love of finding the beauty wherever he was.  The words of Hunter S. Thompson could easily have been written about him - “.. in the long run, …no explanation, no mix of words or music or memories can touch that sense of knowing that you were there and alive in that corner of time and the world.  Whatever it meant.” 

His sense of humor was one of the great gifts he gave to those who knew him well enough to understand the kind and generous heart that was behind his irreverent musings.  It was his deep empathy that allowed him to say the things that initially raised eyebrows but ultimately meant he really cared for you. 

Chris served proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps and believed deeply in the ideals of our country and the sacrifice made by those in the armed service who afford us our freedom.  He was an accomplished pilot who was respected by his colleagues.  Even after all of these years, he never fell out of love with flying.  He was known for being a consummate professional with a deep respect for the profession.  In this, he honored his grandfather, Colonel Waldo B. Jones, a pilot for the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II, and his father, Douglas W. Jones, a U.S. Army helicopter pilot in Vietnam. 

He is survived by his son, Harris Jones, of whom he was endlessly proud; his mother and stepfather, Leslie and Randy Porterfield; his father, Douglas Jones; his sister, Caitlin Porterfield; his brother, Zach Porterfield; and an extended family and group of friends who were family to him.