Leon Jones was born June 21, 1926 to the proud parents of Myrtle Moore-Jones and James Jones on the south side of Chicago,IL. Leon was the eldest of two children,Leonard Jones who preceded him in death at the age of 12 due to scarlet fever. Leon accepted Christ at an early age due to his mother being a big part of the church where she made sure he, his brother and cousins remembered & were able to recite scriptures of the Bible, because he said she did not play about that! He continued throughout his life every single day and passed that along to his child and grandchildren.
He devoutly attended St. Anselm church for over 50 years and put his daughter and grandchildren through St. Anselm school. Leon was a lifelong learner and scholar and he instilled that into his family. Education was his number 1 priority. He was known as “The Professor” or “Dr. Jones” affectionately. He made sure any kid that visited his home, whether family or friends of family got their studies and lessons done before leaving the house to play. He did not believe in bringing home a grade less than an “A or B”. He believed if youwork hard you can achieve anything you want in life. Leon attended Burke Elementary school and graduated in 1939. He then attended DuSable Highschool and graduated with honors in 1943. Shortly after he was drafted to the United States Army for World War II, which ended in 1945. He then went on to other branches of service such as the Air Force as private 1st class where he was honorably discharged on December 20,1951. Next he served in the Navy as a firefighter starting on June 29, 1956. He then met Elizabeth Marie Taylor, who preceded him in death (2011), and his daughter Carol Ann Jones was born January 16,1964. However he never was married. Leon worked for the Railroad after completing his services with the United States government.
He furthered his education to become an electrician for United States Post Office where he never took a day off. He worked for 61 years until he retired at age 84. Leon had the greatest sense of humor and kept up with the times. He was a lover of music from Coltrane, to Michael Jackson to Jay-z. You would often catch him singing at the tv really loud & just having a great time. He grew up around most of our musical & tv legends in what we now call the Bronzeville area. He would take all of the kids & their friends out to the museums, movies, zoo etc. on his off days. Anytime you would ask him where are we going, he would say “NEW YORK!”
He was and still is the rock of the entire family which includes his daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins , extended family and friends . He also made an agreement with a friend Scootie Brown to help raise her children as well (the Brown family). He loved his entire family no matter what and would always help when anyone was in need. He was and is Thee example of a strong black man with values. Leon went to meet his Heavenly Father on Wednesday July 4th, 2018 Independence Day while at Rush Presbyterian hospital. He is survived by his daughter Carol Ann Jones, grand children Joslyn Robinson, Devon Jones, and Danielle Roby. His great-grand children Jalen O’Neal, Karon, Liana, Alexandria, Devon Jones jr. A host of cousins (Moore-Weiss family) Anetta Richardson, Anita Keys, Justin Keys, Ellen Thompson-burns, Anita Scott, Dwayne & Joseph Hilliard, Suzette (Butch), Julie and Chanel Moore, Sandra & the Brown family. Linda Cochran , Ernest Cochran Ernestine, Cynthia , Bruce Deborah Conchran . With a host of other cousins and relatives. He was preceded in death by his mom Myrtle Moore-Jones, his father James Jones, brother Leonard Jones, Aunts Dobankia Weiss, Yvonne Cochran, cousins Dobie Weiss, Helen Hillard, William (Bay Bay) Hillard, Cortez Moore, Darnell Moore, Steven Moore, Joanne Moore, Kippy Moore, Pat & Inez Moore, Ronald Moore, Howard Miller. And a host of other relatives and friends. He will be FOREVER missed and NEVER forgotten! His legacy will live on.
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