Melvin W. Jones Sr.

Melvin Wayne Jones, Sr., 76 Lakeland - Melvin is preceded in death by his mother, Mayona Neil Jones; father, William Elmer Jones Sr.; brother, James Edwin Jones and 2 children. He is survived by one brother, William Elmer Jones Jr.; three sons, Wayne Jones Jr. (Cheryl), James Porter Jones (Azure), David Anthony Jones (Felicia); one daughter, Joann Jones and nine grandchildren, Robert David Jones, Brittany Ann Jones, Garret Cole Jones, Devin Porter Jones, Isaac Anthony Jones, James Patrick Jones, Jenna Teresa Edwards, Leah Cole Jones, and Julianna Leigh Love. Melvin was born in Clearwater Florida on September 6, 1941. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1960 and participated in the US blockade of Soviet missiles during the Cuban missile crisis. Melvin left the Navy in 1964 and met his first wife, Josephine Cole. After losing two girls shortly after their birth, Melvin and Josephine had their first son, Wayne Jones Jr. in February of 1969 followed by James Porter Jones in July of 1971 and then David Anthony Jones in September of 1974. After their divorce in 1975, Melvin moved to Lakeland Florida with two of his sons, Wayne and James, and went to work for W.R. Grace Phosphate mines in Bartow, FL. Soon after going to work for W.R. Grace, his youngest son David came to live with him. Melvin married again for a short period and was blessed with a daughter Joann. After his second marriage failed, he would raise three boys on his own with help from cherished neighbors and friends that he considered family. He loved his children and would do anything to give them a better life. Melvin was a fierce defender of his boys, teaching them the value of hard work, commitment to family, a strong love of country and God and to the end, demonstrated a humble, gracious and generous heart. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten. Visitation will be held at 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Monday, December 4, 2017 at Gentry-Morrison Funeral Home 1727 Bartow Road Lakeland, FL 33801. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM in the funeral home chapel. Interment with military honors, 2:00 PM at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.

Melvin W. Jones Sr.

September 6, 1941 - November 28, 2017