Ermon K. Jones

Ermon K. Jones

AGE: 92 •

Neptune native and civil rights activist Ermon K. Jones, 92, passed away on Saturday, May 7, 2016 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. He attended Neptune public schools, graduating from Neptune High in 1943 where he was the first black basketball player to start for the school. Ermon served in the Armed Forces, attended Monmouth University, and received a BS degree from Morgan State University, and a Master's degree from Columbia University. In 1951 he started his career at Fort Monmouth as an engineer, and retired in 1985 after fifteen years as head of the Fort's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity for over 5000 civilian and military personnel.

Ermon had a distinguished record of community activism in education, housing and employment. Most notably, he successfully won a New Jersey Supreme Court landmark housing bias decision (Jones v. Haridor Realty) that provided homeownership opportunities for blacks throughout New Jersey. Ermon was a life member of the NAACP and former president of the local branch; former member of the Neptune Township Planning Board, the Housing Authority, and the Jersey Shore Hospital Community Advisory Board. Ermon was a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity for 68 years, and served as Trustee chair of Second Baptist Church for 30 years. Ermon was inducted into the Neptune High School Hall of Fame in 2010, and recently received the Trailblazer Award from Neptune's Mayor for Paving the Way for Others. Neptune Township proclaimed October 20, 2012 as Ermon K. Jones Day in recognition of his lifetime of outstanding community service.

Ermon was predeceased by his wife of 66 years, Blanche H. Jones, and son-in-law, Otha E. Williams. Ermon leaves to cherish his memories his loving daughters, Dr. Geneva J. Williams of Detroit, and Janel J. Jones, of Neptune; two sisters, Cornelia Miller (Neptune), and Gwen West (Marion); one brother, Attorney Viron K. Jones (South Carolina); three grandchildren; two great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Jean Wright (Maryland), along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Visitation will be from 8 am Monday, May 16th until the funeral services at 10 am at Second Baptist Church, 124 Atkins Ave., Asbury Park. Reverend Semaj Y. Vanzant, Pastor, Second Baptist Church will officiate. Interment will be at Monmouth Memorial Park, Tinton Falls. Ely Funeral Home, Neptune, has been entrusted with the arrangements.