Obituary of Jack Jones, Jr.

     US Army Major (Retired) Atlas “Jack” Jones, Jr. departed this life May 5, 2022, at his home in Durham, North Carolina. He was born on September 28, 1951, to Atlas Sr. and Pauline Jones in New Madrid, Missouri. He accepted Christ at an early age, and was active in his church, and community. Later he attended First Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries, Virginia where he was a member of the Men’s Choir and served on the usher board. Jack was also a member of the Woodbridge (Virginia) Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.

Jack graduated from Lilbourn High School (1970) in Lilbourn, Missouri. He then attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.  He was recognized in Who’s Who Among Students in American University and Colleges (1973). He participated in the ROTC program at Lincoln and was commissioned as a 2^nd Lieutenant upon graduation. Jack continued his education at the University of Massachusetts (Amherst), where he received a master's degree in Social Psychology.  He later earned a master's degree in International Communications, from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. 

Jack entered the military in 1977 as a 1^st Lieutenant in the US Army Signal Corps where he completed Airborne training as well. His military career encompassed 20 years of service to his country with assignments in Augusta, Georgia; Bremerhaven, and Frankfurt Germany; Schinnen, The Netherlands; Flagstaff, Arizona; Okinawa, Japan; and Washington, DC.  Two of his most enjoyable assignments included serving as a Professor of Military Science, at Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff), and serving on the Presidential Inaugural Committee for the Clinton/Gore Inauguration. Jack received numerous awards, and medals including the prestigious Legion of Merit; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; the Army Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medals with Oak Leaf Cluster; the National Defense Service Medal; Overseas Service Ribbon with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters; and the Parachutist Badge. Following the military, he worked in private industry for several years, before concluding his career at the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington DC.

Jack is preceded in death by his parents, Atlas Sr. and Pauline Jones; his sisters, Ida Mae Smith, and Mary Jones; brothers, James Young, and Tom Jones. He will be deeply missed by his wife of 47 years, Lena Patrice (Woods) Jones; his daughters: Kwanza Jones of Raleigh, NC; Themba Jones (Duane) of Morrisville, NC; Angela Nanton of Louisville, KY; Tamekia Williams of Decatur, IL; son Keith Walton (Shannon) of St Charles, MO; his siblings: Robert Jones; Margie Word; Rebecca Jones; Johnnie Jones (Christy) of Indiana;  Harriet Jones of Kansas City, MO;  and Ernest Jones of Glendale, AZ; his beloved grandchildren; devoted nieces; nephews; cousins and a host of extended family and friends, including special friends Thaddious and Diainn Goodman, and Carl and Bettie Grays.

Visitation for Jack will be Saturday, May 14, 2022, at Life Changers Restoration Ministries in Lilbourn, MO from 11:00 a.m. to noon with the funeral services to follow at noon. Interment will be in Sand Hill Cemetery in New Madrid, MO.

 

Donations can be made to: 

Southern Poverty Law Center

400 Washington Ave.

Montgomery, AL 36104

In memory of Atlas J. Jones

 

Repast will follow the graveside service at

 

Lifechangers Restoration Ministries

 

199 S. Mitchell Street

Marston, MO 63866