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Gilbert E. Jones Jr.

GILBERT E. JONES JR.

AURORA, Wis. — Gilbert E. Jones Jr. of Georgetown, Texas, formerly of Aurora, passed away peacefully at 4:45 a.m. on Oct. 8, 2018, in Georgetown.

He was born on March 28, 1922, the firstborn of nine children from the marriage of Gilbert E. Jones, Sr and Lou Alma Jones.

Gilbert serve his country by joining the U.S. Army during World War II.

He spent time at Fort Polk in New Orleans before his deployment overseas to England, France and Belgium. Gilbert said his best memory of his time in the Army was when President Harry S. Truman desegregated the troops, which earned his abiding admiration for President Truman.

Gilbert’s tradition of military service was passed on to his sons, Gilbert III and Leondo, and he inspired the next generation of four Jones grandsons: Joshua Jones and Caleb Jones – Army; Jacob Jones and Jared Jones – Air Force; and, Zack Jones – Marines. Gilbert felt honored and privileged to go on the “Honor Flight” to Washington D.C., which included a side trip to the Martin Luther King Memorial for the three African Americans in attendance.

After WWII, Gilbert enrolled in the bricklayer apprentice program and advanced to become a bricklayer, following in the footsteps of his father. Gilbert worked on numerous homes, high-rise apartments, churches, hospitals and other public buildings in the Detroit area. He also helped build the Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center building in Iron Mountain along with working on many businesses, homes and fireplaces in the local area.

When Gilbert moved his family from Detroit to Northern Wisconsin, he assumed various positions at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Iron Mountain, spending most of his time as purchasing director until he retired.

Restless in retirement, he joined the US Forestry Department and worked until he was persuaded by his family to retire again. For many decades, the Joneses were the only black family in a rural, predominantly white environment. As a measure of his intellect and respect in the community, Gilbert was frequently asked by organizations during the turbulent ’60s and ’70s to speak at key events on matters of race relations and other important topics.

From his first marriage to Edna Louise Bright (deceased), they were blessed with two children: Theresa McLemore and Gilbert Jones III. His marriage of 38 years to Florence Jones blessed them with 14 children: Nolan Jones (deceased); Clifton Jones; Lester Jones; Terrill Jones; Leondo Jones; (Mark) Ben Kai Emmanuel; Gloria Brooks; Naomi Polley; Irma Jones; (Stephen) Tsadakeeyah Emmanuel; Patricia Johnson (deceased); Michael Jones; Travis Jones; and Van Jones.

Gilbert is survived by his wife of 33 years, Janice Jones. He was step-father to Janice’s two daughters, Jacci Clawson and Lisa Plank. He is survived by twin siblings, Barbara Seay and Ann Halmon; and sister, Alice Strawbridge.

He was preceded in death by his parents and five siblings: Robert (“Chubby”) Jones; Ambrose (“Lester”) Jones; Elder William (“Buddy”) Jones; Rose Frederick; and Leondo (“Sonny”) Jones.

Gilbert and Janice moved to Texas in 2003. He resided in Texas until his death on Oct. 8, 2018.

He is survived by 32 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and an abundance of cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews located throughout the country.

Gilbert said his proudest achievement was having the courage to move his immediate family from the inner city of Detroit to rural Wisconsin in the early 1960s, which he said provided a “new beginning” and a better chance in life.

He leaves this life as a loving father and husband, a man of God and member of the Seventh-Day Adventist faith who aspires to see us all when the “new beginning” of eternal life unfolds in Heaven.

The family wishes to extend thanks to all who communicated their love and support, especially during Gilbert’s final time of need.

A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10 in Georgetown, Texas 78633.

Burial will be held in the Homestead-Aurora Cemetery in November with the times to be announced by the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home.

Condolences may be expressed to the family of Gilbert E. Jones online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the funeral arrangements.