I have lived in beautiful San Diego on and off since 1984. I was a New York-based flight attendant for Pam Am from 1989-1992, and I had the privilege of living in NYC and traveling the world to places like Nice, Trinidad and Tobago, Rio, Bahamas, and many more. It gave me a greater appreciation of San Diego because there are so many beautiful places around the world, and SD ranks right up there with the best of them! My father was a career Marine, serving 30 years for our country, and my mother was a civil servant for our government. Originally, I was born in Columbus, Ohio, but my dad’s military career moved us all around the country and even Okinawa, Japan, before settling in Southern California, San Clemente, to be exact. My parents eventually moved to and bought a house in the Encanto area of San Diego in 1982. My wife and I inherited that house when the Lord called my parents home, and while we will visit everywhere else, San Diego will always be home!
About Mark Jones
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am a husband to Tara for the past 24 years and am a father of three beautiful children: Isaiah, 22, still figuring life out; Jared, 19, is a student and track athlete at San Jose State University; and Gabrielle, 12, who is a dancer and budding track star.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
My business is LegalShield. https://mjones59.wearelegalshield.com. We help protect you and your family through our life events legal services plan and our identity theft protection plan. I love how we give access to top-quality law firms nationwide to the masses, some that have never used attorneys before and some that have attorneys on a retainer but are discovering that they can get the same quality law firms without the high hourly rate. So I love the value that we bring to the marketplace.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I would say learn how to be kind, compassionate, and understanding of people. Some people don’t deserve it but try anyway. Read or listen to books that inspire you and touch your heart. And travel to as many places as possible. Travel changes people!
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
We have some very big goals over the next 5-10 years. Suffice it to say, you’ll be seeing more of me!
Mark Jones & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
The Market Restaurant, Jake’s Del Mar, Adalbertos, Surf and Soul, Louisiana Purchase, Island Prime
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
39 years, San Diego City College and University of San Diego alum, and looking forward to many more connections in our community.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I have met a bunch, but Pamela Gray Payton of the San Diego Foundation and Ken and Margie Blanchard are some of the warmest, kindest impactful folks I have met.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I don’t have one specifically, but all businesses hold the promise of bringing a better quality of life just because they are here.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The sheer beauty of San Diego and the ability to be at the beach, in the desert, in the mountains, or in Mexico all on the same day.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
Barack and Michelle Obama because of the common courtesy, kindness, integrity, and intelligence they displayed in the face of all that hatred was and is remarkable. There are so many great award-winning restaurants in SD that I would have to do some research so we can impress!
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
The Bourne Identity movies, Blended, Cinema Paradiso, The Pursuit of Happyness
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
That I studied Spanish in Antigua, Guatemala.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
The ability to live in San Diego – not just exist.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My children
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
Chamber of Commerce, Make A Wish, Blue Heart Foundation, Big Brothers/Sisters, LEAD San Diego
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
“You will never be a thief. Your eyes give you away” Mr. Shepherd, ninth grade social studies teacher.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
Encanto
What I love about my Neighborhood:
It has beautiful people and open spaces, and you can still get downtown on the surface streets.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
Date night with my wife Friday night. Sporting events, Saturday dinner out with the kids, church Sunday, and inviting friends and family over to hang out by the pool and food and drink for everyone!
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love, compassion, and understanding. Who doesn’t want more of that? Everyone who knows us knows what home means to us.
