Ronald Jones

RONALD LYMAN JONES was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Thursday, March 29, 1945, to Cecile E. and Major E. Jones. As a youngster, Ronald contracted polio and spent several months in a hospital bed. There, he discovered his lifelong love of reading almost anything that would expand his knowledge, a passion that remained throughout his life. Ronald made a full recovery by age six. His younger sister, Sandra, and brother, Major “Rocky,” loved having an older brother who could read books to them, but most importantly, who would leave them spellbound by the stories he would make up and tell.

Ronald graduated from Shaker Heights High School in 1963. He worked as a lifeguard, for the summer, at Euclid Beach and then began college at Central State University. Ronald earned a degree in Elementary Education and graduated as a First Lieutenant in the Army, where he served as a medic from 1968 to 1969, during the Vietnam War.

Following his military service, Ronald pursued a career in education at Dayton City Schools for five years. He then changed his career path to Human Resources, working fifteen years at Battelle, in Columbus, Ohio, and later, Online Computer Library Center (OCLC). Lastly, Ronald was employed by JPMorgan Chase & Company, as Vice President of Human Resources, for ten years until his retirement.

Ronald was married to Sharon Harden and had two children, Dana and David. He later married Andrea Jones (m. Roy) and had one child, Aubre. While working for Chase in the Philippines, Ronald met and later married Gloria Perales Jones.

He enjoyed his family and friends, good conversations, and delicious food which Gloria was an expert at providing. He was quite the gardener and their home, on Barberry Lane, hosted many backyard celebrations with a beautiful view of his garden.

To say he had many interests, would be an understatement. His lifelong love of learning and gaining knowledge led him to photography, genealogy, jewelry making, a vintage Triumph TR7, that he learned to rebuild and fix himself, preparing authentic foreign cuisine, and building a Koi Pond and a three-tiered deck, which created a full botanical experience for any guest visiting his backyard.

Ronald was well-known for his expanse of knowledge. His friends and family often joked about how asking Ronald one question could turn into a full dissertation on the subject matter. Children in the family would often try to test him with unfamiliar facts like “What was the original name of Pepsi?” (He knew it was Brad’s) or “Is a tiger or lion the largest big cat?” Ronald would respond, “Neither, but you won’t believe me.” There was no google, but thankfully, after failing to figure it out, his brother, Rocky, let the family know that the answer was ‘Liger’ (an offspring of a tiger and lion)! Ronald cared deeply and was always there for his family and friends.

Blessed with seventy-eight years of life, our beloved Ronald L. Jones entered eternal rest on Sunday, September 3, 2023. Ronald was preceded in death by his father, Major E. Jones, Sr. and his brother, Major E. “Rocky” Jones Jr.

He leaves to celebrate his life: his wife, Gloria Perales Jones; mother, Cecile E. Jones; his sister, Sandra Jones Mobley; children, Dana (Aaron) Bullock, David (Genevieve) Jones, and Aubre Jones; grandchildren, Cheyenne (Keesha), Payris, India, and London Bullock, Elijah Jones, Major and Olivia Lowe, and Sebastian Bennett; nieces and nephews, Eli (Josie) Jones, Sr., Danielle (Jason) Iwanski, Asiya Jones, Bill Mobley, and Dorian (Kat) Mobley; as well as many other family members and close friends. RONALD WILL BE MISSED BEYOND WORDS.