THOMAS EARL JONES III

Mr. Thomas Earl Jones III was born on Valentines Day, February 14, 1951 in Memphis, TN to the late Thomas Earl Jones, Jr. and the late Mae (Mary) Emma Parks Jones. He was the eldest son of four children. He professed a hope in Christ at Metropolitan Baptist Church under Rev. S.A. Owen Jr. and as an adult, he joined Mt Zion AME Church, Memphis, TN. Tom was raised by his loving mother, and grandmother the late Cora Leonia Scott Parkes in the public housing community of Lemoyne Gardens. He attended Porter, LaRose, Walker, and Cummings Elementary Schools, Porter Jr. High, and Booker T. Washington High School (‘69). He received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis in Business Administration and a Computer Technology degree from State Technical Institute at Memphis. While very young, he learned to love cooking, songwriting and telling family stories. He had a very keen mind, could make anyone laugh with his story telling, and he loved music. He was very generous and willing to help anyone that he could, including friends and family. While in high school, his first job was at Leonard’s Barbecue on McLemore and Bellevue and became manager there. He went on to work for Memphis Municipal Airport as a city police security officer. As a salesman at Dillards - Mall of Memphis, Thomas was acknowledged as one of the top Salespersons in the Men’s Department. Thomas was blessed to work at Stax Studios honing his skills as a songwriter and producer. With his good friend (the late) George Jackson, he co-wrote “Old Time Rock and Roll” the Bob Seger pop rock classic that went platinum and has remained on the charts since 1978, recorded at Muscle Shoals, AL Studios. He produced the album “Knockout” by Margie Joseph and many other hits. He worked with many artists including Margie Joseph, Raymond Moore, The Staple Singers, James Brown, Candi Staton, Little Milton, Alexander O’Neal, and Melvino Smith. In addition to his parents, he was preceded by his sister, Constance Marie Jones; his uncles, Charles Jones, Joe Willie Jones, Walter Jones, and Henry L. Parkes Sr.; one aunt, Amanda Palmer Gales. He leaves to mourn his passing one brother, Benjamin Levi Jones; one sister, Shari Lynn Jones-Woods; one niece, Sharita C. Malone (Michael); one nephew, Kevin A. Woods; his aunts, Cora Leonia Parkes Leatherwood Gleese, Myrtle Logan Parks, Ida Lee Jones, and Shirley Jones, all of Memphis, TN; one uncle, Richard Lee Palmer, Sr. (Gloria) of California. He also leaves his dear friends, Suzy Chandler, attorneys Reginald and Janelle Eskridge, Ronald Robinson, James Wilson, Sgt. George Jackson Jr., Margie Joseph, Carla Thomas, Melvin Lee “Melvino” Smith, his god-daughter, Selena Blocker Smith, his beloved grand-god-children Davonte Smith and Melena Smith; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m., Friday, February 27 and funeral services will be 2:30 p.m., Saturday, February 28 at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial Park Funeral Home, "Behind the stone wall", 901-767-8930. Condolences may be offered at www.MemorialParkOnline.com