Mr. Walter J. Jones Jr.

January 31, 1926 - November 4, 2020

***NOTE: A WALK THROUGH VISITATION FOR THE PUBLIC WILL BE HELD 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 at the funeral home***** ****A SERVICE IN LOVING MEMORY will be held at Wednesday, November 11, 2020 at 12:00 noon 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 (140) people may be present for the for the church service. ****MASKS ARE REQUIRED**** ****AN INTERMENT will be held following services at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park (S. Westnedge Avenue in Kalamazoo). Up to (100) people can be in attendance according to the cemetery's regulations ****MASKS ARE REQUIRED ALSO AT THE CEMETERY**** ______________________________________________ The Obituary Walter J. Jones Jr. was born in Deland, Florida to parents Walter J. Jones Sr. and Clara R.B. (Haywood) Jones. He was the eldest of 7 children. During his childhood, he lived in Canal Point, Everglades where he recalled seeing alligators and Miami, Florida where he attended school until 11th Grade. He accepted Christ as his Savior at the age of 12 and was baptized at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Miami. He moved to Baldwin, Michigan in 1942 and completed 12th grade at Baldwin High School. He met the love of his life Alma C. Brooks after being “set up” by her younger siblings. She admired his strength and he found her “fascinating”. The two shared many fond memories as friends including riding in the old 1929 Model A Ford his Aunt Chris purchased for him. He joined the Coast Guard and U.S. Navy in 1944 during WWII and served through 1946 as a Yeomen 3rd Class after training at Hampton Institute, in Hampton, Virginia. He was stationed in Hawaii to assist with recovery efforts after Pearl Harbor. On March 2, 1945 he and Alma married and started a family. Together they became parents to 6 children, 5 sons and 1 daughter: Walter III (deceased), Randall, Clarence (deceased) Russell, Ralph and Joyce. They cherished and raised their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord and maintained a strong and loving bond which lasted a lifetime. Earlier this year, they celebrated their 75th year /Golden Anniversary surrounded by the love of many family members and friends. Walter was a father, a leader and a role model. Being the strong, kind and compassionate person he was, he readily took on responsibility and leadership roles throughout his life. Walter was always a source of guidance and counsel to his family, church and community and when a call for volunteers’ wen t out, he frequently ran in to help. He served as a Volunteer Fireman in Baldwin, a Sunday School teacher, and was an Ordained Deacon in 3 churches from the age of 25. He was a Trustee and finally a Deacon Emeritus at Bible Baptist Church, Kalamazoo. He was a role model and friend to young and old alike and served for 9 years as Scout Master of Troop #84 sponsored by Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Kalamazoo. Two of his own sons Walter III and Russel became Eagle Scouts during his tenure. Walter III, Randall and Joyce followed him in Military service. He also served as a past President of the Central High School PTSA, was a member of the Northside Committee for Educational Advancement, and a member of the school board’s Racial Balance Committee. He was Membership Chairman of the N.A.A.C.P in the 1960s and participated in the Civil Rights movement in Kalamazoo. He also served as a Union President at Union Camp Box Factory. His work career began early in life and included working with his mother picking beans and fruits in the Everglades, he worked as a Hotel Bus Boy in Miami, performed Stock Inventory Control at IBM of Kalamazoo, and was eventually appointed Director of Civil Defense and Administrative Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Kalamazoo in 1969. He was elected President of the Civil Defense Directors Association of Michigan in 1973-74 and held an Associate Degree from Kalamazoo, Community College. Was a licensed Resident Agent with the Michigan Insurance Bureau and a graduate of the Kalamazoo Police Academy. He ultimately retired from the City of Kalamazoo in September 1993. In retirement, he loved the outdoors, enjoyed yard work, camping, swimming, family time, playing golf and traveling with Alma. He also sponsored and mentored his son Ralph in opening R.J.s Printing Inc. in 2007. He was pre-deceased by his parents; a brother Alvin; sons Clarence (Winnie) and Walter III. He is survived by his wife Alma; sons, Randall, Drs. Russell (Virginia) and Ralph (Donna) and daughter Joyce (Jacques); a brother, Roland (Marcia); sisters Christine Taylor, Avist Jamersen, Marian Watts and Betty Harvey; 15 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson, and a host of nieces and nephews. His physical presence will be missed, but his spirit will live on through his progenitors and the many lives he touched during his earthly journey. He will be remembered as a strong, kind, and gracious man who loved the Lord, protected and provided for his family and tirelessly served his fellow man. We his family now release this man among men, this godly man known to us as husband, father, brother and “Big Daddy” to the arms of Jesus and look forward to seeing him again in Glory. He truly lived a life Well Done!