Michael Jones (Tariq Mikal Abdullah Muhammad) was born in Port Arthur, Texas to Lottie Dell Jones Tilson and Joseph Barrow, at St. Mary’s Hospital. Tariq returned to his Creator on June 8, 2020.
Although born in Port Arthur, Texas, he and his siblings migrated to Philadelphia, Pa, and were educated in the Philadelphia Public School System. Tariq was a serious athlete; he was one of the top gymnasts during his Jr. High and High School years. Tariq enlisted in the United States Army in 1966 and received decorations and medals such as National Defense Service Medal and Marksman (Rifle M-14), and later received an honorable discharge. In the early 70’s he was introduced to the Islamic Religion and has been a part of the Islamic Community for over 40 years.
Tariq was devoted to educating himself and others in the way Islam. He met the Mahdi’s great-grandson, Imam Issah, in New York and was given a grant to start a new Mosque, the Ansars which was located on 60th Street in Philadelphia, Pa. In search of a new life, he left Philadelphia and went back to Port Arthur, Tx. He worked in refineries until he landed a job working for Boeing Aircrafts in Wichita, Ks. He started in the commercial division but ended up in the military division. Due to his fluency in Arabic, Tariq became a desired translator at Boeing, and he retired in 2010.
Tariq enjoyed traveling across the country, appreciating the scenery, and assisting the Islamic Community with building mosques. Tariq enjoyed living life and loving his family. Tariq was very generous donating money to organizations like St. Jude, American Cancer Society, Islamic Society of Wichita, and whoever was in need. He loved different genres of music. However, Jazz was his favorite, and as he would listen to the sounds of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, or Pharaoh Sanders, you would see him close his eyes, move his head, and lose himself.
He is preceded in death by Joseph Barrow, his mother, Lottie Jones Tilson, two brothers, Marvin (Bootsey) Williams Sr., Ronald (Musa) Jones, and James (Puddin) Tilson, and eldest son, Michael Shannon Jones.
To his siblings, he leaves cherished memories: Barbara Williams Davis (William) of Pennsauken, NJ, William Tilson (Shirley), Belle Tilson, Alexander Tilson (Pauline) of Philadelphia, Pa, Lottie Tilson-Adams (Rick) of Tacoma, Wa, Hugh Tilson (Vorn), Rose Tilson, and Joseph Tilson of Philadelphia, Pa.
Tariq also leaves to cherish his memories his daughter, Tahira, of Philadelphia, Pa, son, Hamiyd, of Linwood, NJ, daughter, Sharifa, of Corone, Tx, twin sons Jamaal (Kristal) of Mesa, Arizona, and Mubarrak, of Wichita, Kansas, and a special daughter Greta, of Atlanta, Ga. His grandchildren; Jahira, Talani, Tiana, Donaven, Zion, Jamaal, Da’Von, Aniya, Jeremiah, Jozua, a special grandchild, Breanna, and a dear companion, Rosemary Juniel. Also one aunt, a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
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