Mr. Walter Jarrett Jones III

July 6, 1945 - October 3, 2020

****NOTE: A WALK THROUGH VISITATION FOR THE PUBLIC WILL BE HELD 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 12, 2020. ****AN INTERMENT WITH MILITARY HONORS will be held Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Please note only (40) people will be in attendance according to the cemetery's regulations. ****A MEMORIAL SERVICE IN LOVING MEMORY will be held at Tuesday, October 13 at 12:30 p.m. at Bible Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, MI. ***Due to the the mandates from the CDC, up to 20% of the church's seated capacity or (125) people may be present for the for the church service. ****MASKS ARE REQUIRED**** _______________________________________ Walter J. Jones III (Jerry) was born on July 6, 1945 in Reed City/Baldwin, Michigan to Walter Jr. and Alma (Brooks) Jones. He was the eldest of 6 siblings and served faithfully as “Big Brother in Chief”. He professed faith in Christ as his Savior and was baptized at the age of 9. He was a high achiever and earned the level of Eagle Scout as a teenager. He went on to graduate from Central High School where his competitive nature led him to participate in Track & Field, Cross Country and on the Debate Team. He attended Western Michigan University where he received a B.A. in Political Science and an M.A. in Educational Leadership. He also attended Wayne State University School of Public Administration and was a member of the Kalamazoo County Public Service Board. His enthusiasm for learning continued throughout his life and he eventually attained his lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer when he graduated from Miles University in Alabama with a Juris Doctor degree in May 2011. Walter was a patriot who gained his sense of citizenship and community mindedness from his parents and participating in Boy Scouts. He was a member of Troop 84 and eventually served as a Scout Master. His sense of duty led him to join the US Army Infantry in 1965 where he served 2 voluntary tours in Vietnam as a Paratrooper in the 173rd Airborne Brigade. During his service there, he became a Sergeant and decorated hero; receiving a Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star Medal for Valor and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. His exposure to Agent Orange while in combat, precipitated many health challenges that he faced through the years. Prior to joining the Army, he met and married Marian Carter who bore him 2 children, Jennifer Yvonne and Jacquelyn Nicole. Marian preceded him in death but remains in our hearts as a cherished family member. He was also preceded in death by his brother Clarence. Walter was very active in the Kalamazoo Civil Rights Movement in the early 1960s. He attended the March on Washington and later served in the NAACP as Public Action Officer. He was honored with the Distinguished Military Service Award by the Metropolitan Kalamazoo Branch of the NAACP in 2008. He had a passion for grant writing and community improvement; running for public office and establishing various businesses over the years. His most notable accomplishments include founding American Legion Post #134, founding the first Charter School in Kalamazoo and most recently, ownership of the Vet’s Café Restaurant. Walter loved his family and children deeply and could be found at every holiday celebration and event, participating and contributing in any way he could to demonstrate his love and support. He is survived by his parents Walter Jr. and Alma Jones, brothers Randall, Russell (Virginia) and Ralph (Donna) and sister Joyce (Jacques). His children Jennifer (Dennis), Jacqueline, Atiba (Cherise), Antwan (Erica), Iyeshia, Shondraya and Shaquan, 11 grandchildren, one great grand daughter and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces nephews and cousins. He will be deeply missed in our lives, but we believe by God’s grace that we will see him again on the other side.