Obituary of Roosevelt J Jones

Roosevelt J. Jones Sr., 87, passed away Saturday, August 24, 2019.  He is preceded in death by his parents, Jay and Cleo Jones; brother, Willie Jones; and sister, Gladys B. Jones.  Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 62 years, Phaye; sons, Roosevelt II and Reginald and his wife, Fernay; daughter, Elysalyn “Lisa” and her husband, Young Ju Kim; brother, Melvin Jones; sister, Dora Woodson; sister-in-law, Orenal Jones; and a host of other family and dear friends.

Education was extremely important to Roosevelt.  He completed his undergraduate degree at Prairie View A&M University in 1953. He continued his education at the University of Texas at Austin where he earned his Master of Arts degree in Microbiology.  Roosevelt then continued his education and earned his PhD in Biology at the Graduate School of Biomedical Science at UT in Houston.  He completed a Certificate Program for Paralegal in 2006.

He proudly served in the United States Army and was Platoon Leader.  He worked as a professor at the University of Houston where he taught from 1969 until his retirement in 1995.  He also worked, on special assignment, at the US Environmental Protection Agency from 1979 to 1981.  Not one to sit idle after retiring, Roosevelt built a business purchasing and leasing properties in the Houston area.

Growing up, Roosevelt enjoyed playing basketball in high school and in college, where he lettered for two years.  Roosevelt was an avid reader and enjoyed using his vast knowledge to support causes that were important to him.  Roosevelt enjoyed keeping his mind sharp playing chess and bridge.  He loved playing golf and was extremely proud of his “Hole-in-One”.  Roosevelt will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Services for Roosevelt will be held Saturday, September 7, 2019 at Clayton Funeral Home, 5530 W. Broadway, Pearland, Texas 77581.  The visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., and the funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will take place at a later time at Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas.