Mike Jones was a gifted sportswriter for the Brandon Sun, known for his sharp eye as a copy editor and his ability to craft beautifully written stories.
 
The son of a sportscaster at CKX in Brandon, Man., Jones grew up around broadcasting and carved out his own legacy in the local sports media world.
 
“The biggest thing about Jonesie is he wrote a beautiful sentence,” said Perry Bergson, a longtime colleague and fellow Brandon Sun sportswriter. “There was always an economy to what he wrote.”
 
Jones was respected not only for his writing but for his humility. He disliked being the centre of attention and preferred to let his work speak for itself. At the same time, he was a fearless reporter who didn’t shy away from difficult topics. Working in a tight-knit community, he understood the risks of local reporting and embraced them with integrity and care.
 
Jones’s dedication to local sports was evident in everything he did. He was deeply connected to the community and made time for people, athletes and stories that mattered.
 
“In sports, the more people you know, the better off you are,” said Bergson. “Jones was better off than most.”
 
He also had success on the golf course, winning the Grey Owl golf tournament’s Media Flight four times and setting a tournament record as of 1985. He was crowned champion in 1983 and again in three consecutive years from 1985-87.
 
Jones passed away unexpectedly at the age of 49, a loss that deeply affected the staff at the Brandon Sun.
 
“The importance of your life can, in some way, be measured with the sadness of your death,” said Bergson. “And Jonesie was important.”
 
Following his passing, the Sun published a special tribute in his honour. His legacy lives on through the Mike Jones Team of the Year Award, presented to sports teams in recognition of outstanding merit, continuing his commitment to celebrating local talent.
 
Mike Jones was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 2007.