Gary Duane Jones

Gary Duane Jones, Sr. affectionately known EZG, departed this life on Wednesday, February 9, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. Gary was born in Jackson, Michigan on August 23, 1960 to Lilah Jones (Milton) and the late Henry P. Jones, Sr.

Gary attended Blackman Elementary, Northwest Middle School, and Jackson High School. While in school, Gary excelled academically, loved to sing, write poetry, played a variety of sports, was known as a natural born leader, and elected as senior class student body President. Upon high school graduation Gary pursued Criminal Justice studies at Jackson Community College. During this time Gary also worked at the Jackson County Police Department as a Police Cadet.

Gary was adventuresome and desired more from life so he enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia and when at sea worked as a Communications Engineer. After Gary completed his Naval tour of duty, he returned to Jackson, Michigan and served as the first African American U.S. Post Master in Hillsdale County. As a life-long learner, Gary went back to school to become a licensed X-Ray Technician and has worked for the Veteran’s Hospital and various Radiology clinics.

Gary realized a calling on his life and accepted Christ as his savior at the age of seven. Under the headship of the late Rev. William R. Saunders, he sung in the choir and served in a variety of ministry capacities while a member of the Southside Baptist Church. Gary and his family are members of Burnett Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. However, when Gary is in Jackson, he still attends his home church, the Southside Church, under the headship of Pastor Jeffery A. Lang.

Gary is preceded in death by his father, the late Henry P. Jones Sr. He leaves behind to cherish his memory wife LaTangela; children Mia, Taylor, Gary, Michael (Angela), and Jaylen. His mother Lilah Milton, siblings Henry (Regina), Michele (Paul) and Michael, four grand-children, several sister-in-law’s and brother-in-law’s, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

One song Gary loved to sing as a child was Walk in The Light. We know why because Gary’s contagious smile would light up a room. Gary drove us all crazy on the phone when he would say, ‘can you hear me or see what I’m saying?’ Yet, his sense of humor leaves us all with fond memories to fill the void of his absence. We will miss him as he taught us all that our actions reflect who we really are.