Tommy Joe Jones, a 54-year-old resident of the Monterey Peninsula, was last seen on April 3, 2008. Born in El Paso, Texas, on August 10, 1953, Jones had a deep connection with the ocean, having moved to the Monterey area with his family in 1962. His life was interwoven with the sea, from working on the wharf in Monterey at a young age to becoming a commercial fisherman for over three decades. He held a skipper's license and was a familiar face at the helm of the Princess Monterey.
Jones was a man of many talents and a strong work ethic, often holding multiple jobs simultaneously. He ran a successful bait business, Lethal Weapon Bait Company, and a welding business. His commitment to his community was evident through his service as a reserve officer for the Seaside Police Department from 1982 to 2000 and his years spent coaching for the Seaside Little League. He also served in both the Marines and the Navy. More recently in his life, he had been collaborating with biologists from the Moss Landing Marine Lab, aiming to bridge the gap between marine environmentalists and the fishing industry.
At the time of his disappearance, Jones was described as being 6'2" tall, weighing 210 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. The Morro Bay Police Department is the agency handling his missing person case.
Following his disappearance, his family published an obituary stating he "left port for the last time on April 3, 2008." A celebration of his life was held on May 3, 2008. He is survived by his two children, two grandchildren, his former wife, and several siblings.Last Seen: Apr 3, 2008
