John Lee Jones Jr., age 85, passed away on November 9, 2017.

John Lee Jones, Jr was born to on January 12, 1932 in East St. Louis, Illinois to Laura Lee (Stewart) Jones and John Lee Jones, Sr. When he was a young child, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio along with his parents and his sister Louise Jones (McKinney). They grew up in Outhwaite Homes, in the inner city of Cleveland, Ohio, which were the first federally funded public housing units in the Cleveland area, and one of the first in the country. This was a community of humble, hard-working, and socially aware families that produced several other notables, such as Carl and Louis Stokes, whose family was close to the Joneses. Mr. and Mrs. John Jones, Sr. were not only active in the community but also in the church, raising both John, Jr. and his sister with strong values for family, education and a unshakable love for the Lord.

John’s family relocated to the Collinwood neighborhood during his early teen years, a predominantly Italian neighborhood during which time was not racially integrated. Because of the racial tension and violence that many Black families in this area faced, John enlisted in the Army, although he was only 15. He served in the Army for 18 months before serving in the Air Force when it branched off from the Army. During his enlistment, he served in both World War II (Army) and the duration of the Korean Conflict (Air Force). He served until 1958, earning a medal of his longevity of service.

On October 22, 1964, John married Mernyll Washington and shared 40 years of marriage until her passing on November 18, 2004. He believed, with every fiber of his being, in God & family.  Many loved him as father to many and he was friend to all. He led a life of a service, both at work and at home. He was President and founder of the E. 162 Street Club and worked at Consumer Protective Association, helping people with financial management, for 44 years until his retirement. Whether he was hosting a backyard barbeque or helping someone avoid foreclosure of their home, his spirit touched the lives of everyone that he met. He left a legacy that will be felt for years to come.

On November 9, 2017, John went home to be with the Lord, reuniting with his wife, Mernyll Jones, parents John Lee, Sr and Laura Lee, and sister Louise Jones (McKinney). He is survived by a son, Michael A. Jones and a daughter, Danyll M. Jones (Lockhart). Although he was preceded in death by his grandson Fela Lockhart, he leaves grandchildren Kalaisa Jones, Valencia White, Kojo Lockhart, and Kai Lockhart, in addition to great-grandchildren Jhalaya Jones and Jamison Grissom to cherish his memory. He also has a brother-in-law Rev. Dr. Samuel McKinney, two nieces, Rhoda Jones (Sam) and Lora-Ellen McKinney, as well as a host of extended family and friends who will miss him dearly and be loyally devoted to upholding their ancestral heritage