Edward Jones Jr.

1930 - 2017

Edward E. Jones, Jr.

Okemos

Edward E. Jones, Jr, of Okemos, MI passed away at age 86 on January 17, 2017.  Born on October 16, 1930 and raised in East Lansing, MI, he was the only child to Doris and Edward E. Jones Sr.  He was a 1948 graduate of East Lasing High School and 1952 Graduate of Michigan State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.  He married his high school sweetheart, Lois Brumm, in 1953 and they spent 63 wonderful years together.  He is a Veteran of the U.S. Air Force.  In 1958, he started his own retail business, Jones Stationers, in the last unoccupied space in the Frandor Shopping Center in Lansing. In 1962, he discontinued selling office machines and his business became Jones Gifts, which ultimately grew to become one of the largest gift and decorative accessories retail store in the nation, which he owned for 29 years. He was very appreciative of the loyalty and ability of many of his long time employees.  Mr. Jones also owned Hallmark stores in East Lansing and Jackson and was founding partner in Ideation, Inc. (1964), a nationwide gift catalog business, located in Ann Arbor, developing, printing and selling gift catalogs to over 400 gift stores throughout the country.  He served on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Retailers Association, serving as Chairman 1978-1979.  He was an instrument rated pilot, first earning his pilot's license at age sixteen and flying his own planes for over 40 years.  An avid golfer, he is the last surviving member of the four man 1948 East Lansing High School State Championship golf team and was inducted into the Lansing Sports Hall of Fame in 1980.   Although he was not a musician, relaxation came from his love of music.  His fondness of his 5 toy poodles throughout his adult life was also well-known, and he loved and spoiled them all.  He was a long time member of the Lansing Rotary Club, Michigan Retailers Association, Walnut Hills Country Club and the Turtle Creek Country Club in Tequesta, Florida.  An avid football fan, he held MSU season football tickets for over 65 years and was a Lifetime MSU Alumnus.  His happiest days were spent during summers at beautiful Burt Lake with his wife and two daughters.  In his later years, he was especially fond of his Monday bridge foursome, which has endured for many years.  He considered himself extremely fortunate to be blessed with such a wonderful family and successful business career. 

Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Lois (Brumm) Jones; daughters, Heather Jones and Holly (Don) Poore; grandchildren, Kacie (Ryan) Wilcox, Benjamin Clark, Hannah and Ross Poore;  great-grandchildren, Emily and Joseph Wilcox. 

A private family service will be held. A memorial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI  48906 or online at cahs-lansing.org. 

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Chapel.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.greastlansing.com.