The sun has set on another member of "The Greatest Generation."

Gilbert Emmanuel Jones, Jr. passed away peacefully at 4:45 am on October 8, 2018 at Park Place Care Center. He arrived in this world on March 28, 1922 as the firstborn of nine children from the marriage of Gilbert E. Jones, Sr and Lou Alma Jones. He is predeceased by his parents and five siblings: Robert ("Chubby") Jones; Ambrose ("Lester") Jones; Elder William ("Buddy") Jones; Rose Frederick; and Leondo ("Sonny") Jones.

He is survived by twin siblings Barbara Seay and Ann Halmon, and sister Alice Strawbridge.

His Life . Gilbert spent his childhood and much of his adult life in Detroit, Michigan before moving to Wisconsin in 1960. While in Detroit, Gilbert lived in the Conant Garden area of Detroit, graduated from Pershing High School and, although married with two children, proudly chose to serve his country by joining the U.S. Army during WWII. His basic training was at Fort Warren (before it became an Air force base) in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Then, he spent time at Fort Polk in New Orleans, Louisiana before his deployment overseas to England, France and Belgium. Gilbert reached the rank of Sergeant and was the Company Clerk for a port battalion serving 200 troops and four officers. His unit oversaw the unloading of ships with munitions, equipment, food, petroleum and other field provisions that were transported by supply units - including the famed "Red Ball Express" convoy system - to key battle outposts throughout Europe. Gilbert said his best memory of 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 was grateful and deeply moved after taking the Honor Flight from Austin to Washington DC where he, along with a group of other WWII veterans, visited the WWII Memorial. See Honor Flight Video Here He called this trip "the experience of a lifetime." He also visited the Martin Luther King statute, which Gilbert said was an "amazing and profound" opportunity.

After WWII, Gilbert enrolled in the bricklayer apprentice program and advanced to become a bricklayer, following in the footsteps of his father. Both Gilbert and his brother Lester (whom he persuaded to leave the factory and become a bricklayer) worked together on numerous homes, high rise apartments, churches, hospitals and other public buildings throughout the Detroit area. They often braved inclimate weather, climbed high scaffolds carrying their 80lb pound tool bags and, together, they experienced the challenges and rewards of hunting for work. Gilbert often described bricklaying as a combination of "Precision, Art and Grit."

When Gilbert moved his family from Detroit to Northern Wisconsin, he assumed various positions at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Iron Mountain, Michigan, 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 60's and 70's to speak at key events on matters of race relations and other important topics.

Simultaneous with his positions at the VA and Forestry Department, Gilbert continued his passion for bricklaying, often working multiple jobs at night and on weekends, installing fireplaces, outdoor barbecue pits, porches and steps for neighbors and friends. He also completely rebuilt the family home in Aurora, Wisconsin from the basement up, including a brick exterior, without requiring his family to move out. Gilbert never saw a brick building he couldn't critique and often commented on how the same basic job skills are required today.

His Family : 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 fourteen 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 Janice Jones, whom he married in 1985 and became step-father to Janice's two daughters, Jacci Clawson and Lisa Plank.

Gilbert and Janice moved to Texas in 2003. Gilbert continued to reside in Texas until his death on October 8, 2018. He enjoyed visiting with family and friends, reading, occasionally fishing and watching TV (especially the History Channel, HGTV and National Geographic.)

He is survived by 32 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, and an abundance of cousins, nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews located throughout the country.

His Legacy : Gilbert's rich life experiences and hard work also helped him appreciate the value of education. Early on he encouraged all his children to achieve academically and insisted that they acquire, and use, their local library cards during the summer. Much to their chagrin (at the time), Gilbert often gave books to his children for birthday presents. The family bookshelves in the Jones household remained full of historical, classical and featured books that were required reading, to underscore the importance of pursing educational excellence. It gave him great pride to see this value manifested in various ways as his children have pursued college educations or professional careers, and many grandchildren have also attained college and graduate degrees.

Among Gilbert's many accomplishments is his strong work ethic, longevity and the satisfaction of living a full life characterized by his expression - "Youth doesn't owe me a thing." Gilbert said his proudest achievement was having the courage to move his immediate family from the inner city of Detroit, Michigan to rural Wisconsin in the early 1960's, 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.

Our Gratitude : The family wishes to extend thanks to all who communicated their love and support, especially during Gilbert's final time of need. A special thank you goes to his fellow residents and the staff at The Oaks, where Gilbert was welcomed, honored and loved throughout the time he lived there over the past year. We also thank Gilbert's SDA church family, Texas Home Health Hospice and those who cared for Gilbert at Park Place Care Center where he spent his final days. Lastly, we thank Ramsey Funeral Home for all the arrangements.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, please contribute to a charity of your choice in Gilbert's name. If you do not have a charity please contribute to Maranatha, a nonprofit organization that coordinates construction of churches and schools abroad at Maranatha.org. You may also consider contributing to Bethel Outpost, which has the mission of promoting health awareness and achieving healing through natural herbs and hydrotherapy at Bethel Outpost. It is headed by Joel Polley, one of Gilbert's grandsons.


A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 10th, 2018 in the Chapel of Ramsey Funeral Home. 5600 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78633.


You may share a message or memory in the online memorial guestbook at www.RamseyFuneral.com.