James Lewis Jones

James (Jim) L. Jones passed into eternal life on January 16, 2021 at 89 years young.  Jim is reunited in eternal life with the love of his life and wife of 63 years, Marilyn, his sons, Dan and Gary, three brothers, Larry, Kenny, and Roger, grandson, Jason Keefer, and his parents James and Dorothy.  He is survived by his sister, Beverly Hollingsworth (Rocky Ford, CO), daughters, Cindy Bowes (Birmingham, AL) and Vicky Brown (Toney, AL), daughter-in-law, Denise Shaw (Xenia, OH), seven grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.

Jim was a proud, honorable, and loving Christian father, husband, and grandfather, a journey that began with his wife, Marilyn, when they married in 1948, both just 16 years old.  Jim worked hard to support his family as a screw machine operator.  He worked at National Cash Register Company (NCR) in Dayton, OH for most of his career.  A highlight of Jim’s career at NCR was the 6 months in 1971 he spent in Pueblo, Mexico teaching the shop there screw machine skills.  After NCR, Jim worked at two small shops doing various jobs to include machine set-up, repair, and production.  He worked at Amco Products in Kettering, OH and H&W Screw Machines in Franklin, OH. 

Jim spent his entire adult life seeking to serve his community.  He and Marilyn joined Greenmont-Oak Park Community Church soon after they were married, and remained active members for more than 50-years.  Jim was a volunteer fire-fighter in Kettering, OH.  He loved to sing and was an active member of the church choir; regularly singing solos.  In addition to music, Jim was passionate about the Church’s Food Pantry.  He worked tirelessly in all aspects of the Pantry for more than 40-years, and leading it for the last 20 years of his service.

Jim and Marilyn moved to Madison, AL in February 2008 to be closer to family in their later years.  They attended Athens Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  In 2013 Jim joined Madison Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) because it was closer to home, and easier for him to take an active role in the activities he loved.  

Jim’s passion for serving his community did not stop when he moved to Alabama.  Through multiple organizations, he continued feeding those in the community most in need.  When Marilyn passed away in 2012, Jim believed that God had kept him here with one purpose, to help others in the community; a belief he zealously lived out every day.  Before the pandemic, Jim loved being a part of the Madison Senior Center where he made many friends.  

Jim loved children; he believed they were a precious gift from God unlike any other.  He loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren very much; he was very proud of each one of them.  He was so excited to become a Great-Great Grandpa in August 2020.  He believed in teaching, guiding, and mentoring children, but also in having fun.  It made his day to see them smile and, even more so, if he could make them laugh.  And oh how he loved their Hugs!

Jim was a member of Madison Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  In an effort to allow local attendance in a socially distanced environment, and support virtual broadcasting to his friends and family across the country, a Celebration of Life service will be held at The Grove Church in Madison, AL on February 6, 2021 at 11:00 am.  If you have questions, or would like access to online watching… please contact Roseanna via the following email address: [email protected]

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift in memory of Jim to the Greenmont-Oak Park Community Church Food Pantry in Kettering, OH, or Inside-Out Ministries in Madison, AL.  These are both ministries that Jim loved and supported for many years.