Walter Jones

ObituaryWalter Christopher “Chris” Jones was born on January 23, 1937, in Longview, Texas, the youngest of nine children, to Gaddie Jones and Lura Peals Jones. Both of his parents preceded him in death, in addition to three brothers G.D. Jones, Elvie Jones, Harvey Jones and four sisters Verdia Jones, Fannie Mae Willis, Dorothy Blair and Annie Bea Hiner.

Walter was a member of Pleasant Green Baptist Church in Longview, Texas. He attended Ned E. Williams Schools and graduated from Longview High School in 1954. After graduation, he attended Tuskegee University for two years before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin where he received his bachelor’s degree in Architecture. Upon completion of this degree, Walter worked and lived in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Camden, New Jersey, before relocating to Los Angeles with his family. He obtained his California Architect License and excelled in his work for Housing Urban Development and Shapell Industries before venturing into business for himself.

On September 14, 1980, he married the “love of his life,” Serita Estrin. They enjoyed 45 years together, nearly 37 of those as husband and wife. Chris loved the Lord and was very involved in his church, Messiah Baptist, where he served as a trustee and conducted bible studies. He also tremendously enjoyed his work distributing bibles with the Gideons.

In September 2016, Chris was recognized by the University of Texas at Austin as a member of the Precursors, the first group of black students to attend, integrate and graduate from the university. While attending UT, he was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the nation’s first black intercollegiate fraternity. He was also a member of the American Institute of Architects, and the National Organization of Minority Architects. He received numerous awards for his designs, and he had a deep passion for his profession.

Chris loved fishing, barbequing, intellectual conversation and debate that were technical or scientific in nature. He had a passion for both reading and writing and invested many years of his life writing a book. He also enjoyed spending time with his sons, family and close friends. Besides his work and family, his true joy came from studying and discussing the Word of God.

He will be forever loved and cherished by his wife, Serita Estrin-Jones; four sons, Walter C. (LaDonna) Jones Jr, of Visalia, California, Richard W. (Connie) Jones of Monrovia, California, Brandon D. (Karla) Jones and Derrick J. (Faith) Jones both of Los Angeles, California; five grandchildren, Garrett A. Jones, Justin C. Jones, Daria M. Jones, Devri P. Jones and Christopher M. Jones; one great granddaughter, Maliyah E. Jones; one sister, Lizzie L. Willis of Longview, Texas; two brother-in-law, Hervey Hiner Sr. of Pittsburg, Texas, Ron (Ronna) Estrin of Palm Springs, California; four sister-in-law, Naomi Jones, Billie Jones, both of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Rosetta Gypsy Jones of Longview, Texas, and Harriett (Gary) Tolin of Encino, California; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the City of Hope.

https://ourhope.cityofhope.org/inmemoryofchris

Services for Chris will be held on Monday, June 26, 2017 at the Eternal Light Chapel of Eden Memorial Park, at 1:00 PM.

Arrangements under the direction of Groman Eden Mortuary, Mission Hills, CA.