Dr. Jefferson Joseph Jones

Age 83, of Pepper Pike, OH, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 14, 2015 surrounded by loving family. Beloved husband for 57 years of Sylvia Valerie Jones; cherished father of Jefferson Harold Jones and Jacquelyn Gayle Nance (Frederick R., Jr.); loving grandfather of Melanie Elizabeth Nance, Frederick Richard Nance, III, Nia Marie Jones and Jefferson Joseph Jones, II; dear son of the late Jefferson Henry Jones, formerly of Pittsburgh, PA and the late Bertha (nee Banks) Weaver, formerly of Cleveland, OH. Dr. Jones was preceded in death by both of his siblings, Kendall Jones and Faye Jones-Harrison. He is also survived by many precious nieces, nephews, cousins, numerous friends and colleagues. Captain, United States Army (1955 - 1967, Vietnam). Family hour 10:00 AM, Connecting Links Tribute 11 AM, Sigma Pi Phi - Omega Service 11:15 AM, Alpha Phi Alpha - Omega Service 11:30 AM, followed by Memorial Service at 12:00 PM on Thursday, November 19th at Mt. Zion Congregational Church, UCC, 10723 Magnolia Drive, Cleveland, OH. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Health Legacy of Cleveland, P. O. Box 201519, Shaker Heights, OH 44120-8108, ℅ Jefferson J. Jones, DMD Scholarship Fund. At the request of the family, there will be no public viewing. Jefferson J. Jones, D.M.D. was a man on a mission of education for all. He was, first and foremost, a loving and devoted husband of 57 years. He was a supportive and caring father, a loving grandfather, a dedicated educator, a tireless mentor, and a colleague and friend to many. Dr. Jones began his life journey in Augustus County, Virginia, where he was born on February 9, 1932 to the late Jefferson Henry Jones and the late Bertha (Banks) Weaver. He was the second of three children. Dr. Jones was preceded in death by his older sister, Faye Jones-Harrison, and younger brother, Kendall Jones. Dr. Jones was raised on the south side of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was responsible for taking care of his siblings while his father was at work. He was a dedicated son, committed student and conscientious brother. He graduated from South High School in 1950 and received a Senatorial Scholarship to attend Lincoln University of Pennsylvania. While he was there, he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Nu Chapter. Once he graduated from Lincoln, he was hired as a Biochemical Technician in Cardiac Research at Cleveland Clinic. But the Vietnam War changed his career plans. He was drafted into the Army in December 1955. He served at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and Fort Polk, Louisiana. During his service, he sang with the Army Choir and achieved honors such as “Soldier of the Month” while serving in the Army Medical Corps. Dr. Jones returned to the Cleveland Clinic upon his discharge from the service where he worked as part of the team that isolated and then synthesized angiotensin. While he was in Cleveland he met Sylvia Thompson from Jamestown, NY. He was immediately smitten and proposed one month after they started dating. The happy couple was married September 6, 1958, at Mt. Zion Congregational Church. Dr. Jones was an excellent student and an exemplary employee. As a result of his qualifications, he was accepted by all seven of the dental schools where he had applied. The Joneses selected the University of Pittsburgh where he entered the School of Dental Medicine. During his sophomore year, he was the recipient of a Research Fellowship in Pathology from Dr. Anan Chaudhry. Upon his graduation, he was the recipient of the Operative Dentistry Award and the Basic Science Research Award for his published work done as the result of the fellowship. When he graduated from Dental School, Dr. Jones was chosen to participate in the Postgraduate Dental Training Program in San Francisco at Letterman General Hospital, where he received his Endodontic training. San Francisco is also where the Joneses began to expand their family, adopting Jefferson Harold. Dr. Jones then moved his family to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. where he served two years as a Captain in the Army and as Chief of the Endodontics Section. It was in Fort Leonard Wood that they also adopted their daughter, Jacquelyn Gayle. The Jones’ family returned to the Cleveland area in 1967. Dr. Jones joined the faculty of the School of Dentistry at Case Western Reserve University, and was accepted by the Department of Radiology at University Hospital, where he received special training and certification in Radiology. During the course of more than 41 years at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Jones was an advocate for his students and for the faculty. He served as President of the African American Faculty and Staff Organization for twenty-five years and was Chair of the Department of Endodontics for more than 25 years. He served as the Chair for the President’s Committee to Combat Racism in the University for five years as well as serving on the Personnel Committee and the Nominations Committee during his tenure at Case. Dr. Jones also served on the Admissions Committee for the Dental School for over 25 years, chairing the committee for several years. He was always intent on insuring access to dental education by highly qualified students from diverse backgrounds. While practicing and teaching Endodontics, Dr. Jones was a consultant lecturer for the VA Hospital and served on the staff at University Hospital and Lakeside Hospital. During his tenure at the Dental School, Dr. Jones was also working diligently in the community. Dr. Jones joined with Dr. Edgar Jackson and Dr. Doris Evans to plan and direct a major total health care facility for the entire Glenville area that had become a medically underserved area. He was the founding Dental Director of the Glenville Area Medical and Dental Health Facility where dental and medical services were provided to the residents in that community. Dr. Jones also designed and implemented a Minority Health Careers Program in conjunction with John Hay High School. Science students were enrolled in this program and were scheduled in health facilities and offices in the University’s vicinity. The students were exposed to health care as it was, and is, currently practiced. The students were also paid for their time to help them accumulate funds to pursue their careers. Dr. Jones also worked closely with Congressman Louis Stokes to develop and implement programs to encourage students to pursue higher education in the health careers. Programs were active at Hough Norwood Health Center, Clement Health Center and Glenville Health Center. For 20 years, Dr. Jones also worked to develop and implement a Case Western Reserve University/Community Medical-Dental Provider Project (M.I.G.H.T. Project). He was also a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (Health and Human Services Subcommittee). But his community activism did not stop there. Dr. Jones was a frequent speaker at junior high and high schools throughout Northeast Ohio on the subject of Education for a Better Life. He also personally worked with administrators in all the junior high schools in the Glenville area and beyond, encouraging students to obtain an education in order to have successful careers. He was a mentor at numerous schools, including the Ratner School and Cleveland Audubon Elementary School. He also participated in Career Programs at area colleges for almost 20 years. He was an active member and officer in countless professional organizations, including being a Fellow of the International College of Dentistry, a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the National Dental Honor Society, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, a member in the American Society of Dental Radiology, and the American Association of Endodontists. He also had the great pleasure of being an active member and eventually even serving as President of the Forest City Dental Association. He also served as President of the Ohio Association of Endodontics. He served as a Delegate to the National Dental Association and also was the General Chair of the annual convention of the NDA when the organization met in Cleveland in 1985. In addition to his work with the NDA, he also served on the Board of the National Dental Association Foundation, ultimately serving as Treasurer of the NDAF for 15 years. Through his work with the NDAF he was able to insure there were scholarships for minority students across the country. His exemplary leadership resulted in his receiving numerous awards and accolades, including the 2007 Health Legacy Award for Excellence, National Dental Association President’s Gala Award, and being honored by the Forest City Dental Association for 35 years of service in the field of dentistry. Additionally, he was honored for Teaching Excellence for 35 years by Case Western Reserve University and designated as Alpha Kappa Alpha Man of the Year. Students at Case and around the country have credited Dr. Jones for helping to support their educational goals. He has impacted the lives of countless young people with his advocacy and determination to promote the importance of education. Dr. Jones was a proud life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He was also inducted into Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, where he eventually served as the Chapter’s Sire Archon. Dr. Jones was a member of Mt. Zion Congregational Church, UCC, where he served on the Trustee Board and enjoyed singing in the choir for many years.

Dr. Jefferson Joseph Jones

February 9, 1932 - November 14, 2015