Sande Robert Jones Jr.

Sande Robert Jones, Jr., 60, was born on December 15, 1965, in Syracuse, New York, as the second-born child of the late Sande Robert Jones, Sr. and Dr. Shirley J. Jones. He was the beloved husband of Stephana Frank-Jones and a devoted father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend.

Sande attended Grace Church Friends School in New York City before relocating to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, when his mother accepted a professional opportunity. There, he excelled academically and earned multiple city- and state-level awards at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Robotics. He continued his education at The University of Southern Mississippi and later at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, where he formed lifelong friendships and further developed his technical passions.

For more than 30 years, Sande dedicated his professional life as a Software Engineer. He developed impactful software solutions for Head Start, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Franklin County, Huntington Bank, Ford Motor Company, and many other organizations. His work reflected his intellect, precision, and quiet commitment to excellence. Robotics remained a lifelong passion and cherished hobby.

He was an original founding member of the William E. Artis Legacy Foundation, honoring the legacy of his mother’s uncle, William E. Artis, a sculptor of the Harlem Renaissance.

Sande loved the outdoors and treasured traveling to Africa and abroad with his parents and sister. He adored his mother and spoke with her every day. He shared a deep bond with his older sister, Susan Jones Johnson, whom he missed dearly.

Above all, Sande was a patient, supportive, and loving father to his son, Sande III, and lovingly raised his stepdaughters, Essence and Justice, as his own. His joy multiplied with the birth of his cherished granddaughter, Ireigh, whom he adored. He was an amazing husband and true best friend to his wife, Stephana. He also found great joy in his beloved dogs—Essa, Papi, Marley, and Teddy.

Sande was preceded in death by his grandparents, Warren A. Davis, Sr. and Minnie Liggins-Davis; Randolph Jones and Bertha Jones; his father, Sande Robert Jones, Sr.; his sister, Susan Jones Johnson; his uncle, Warren A. Davis, Jr. and his wife, Myrna Davis; his aunt, Sylvia J. Cutts and her husband, George Cutts; his uncles, Aloysius Jones, Harold Jones, Sr., and Randolph Jones, Jr.; and his cousins, Jeffrey Jones, Renee Jones and Kevin Cutts.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving mother, Dr. Shirley J. Jones; his wife, Stephana; his son, Sande III; his daughters, Essence and Justice; his granddaughter, Ireigh; his mother-in-law, Brenda; his brothers-in-law, Shay and George Henry Abasi Johnson; his uncle, Wayne Davis; his aunt, Renae and husband, Talfred King; his cousins Jennifer Jones Bryant, Marvin Jones, Patricia Jones, Laura Jones, Michael Cutts, Tanya Hall-Davis, and Warren A. Davis III ; and a host of second cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Sande's legacy lives on through the family he loved fiercely, the technology he built thoughtfully and the many lives he touched with his patience, brilliance and steady presence.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

-2 Timothy 4:7

Visitation will be held at Schoedinger Worthington, located at 6699 N High Street, Worthington, OH 43085, on February 27, 2026, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm. A private funeral and burial will occur at a later date.