Gerald Lee Jones Sr.

Jones – Gerald Lee Jones, Sr. age 89, of Gainesville, Florida, passed away on October 1, 2025, at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville. He was born in Ruskin, Florida, on June 13, 1936, to the late Robert Jones and Lottie Mae Matthews Jones. Gerald was one of twenty-two children. In his early years, Gerald and his family worked the fields picking crops in Ruskin before relocating to Brooker during his teenage years, where he made his forever home. He attended and graduated from Brooker High School. Shortly after, he began his career in the grocery industry, serving as an Assistant Manager for Pantry Pride and later as a Produce Manager for Publix. After many years of dedication, he retired in 2000. Never one to sit idle, Gerald returned to the workforce and spent several years working with Walmart. Gerald was a hardworking man who valued keeping busy, but above all, he cherished his family. He met and married the love of his life, Sharon Johnson Jones, and together they shared a beautiful life. They would have celebrated 70 wonderful years of marriage on June 2, 2026. In his spare time, he took great joy in cheering on his favorite college football team, the Florida Gators. He was lover of all animals, especially his dog BJ. Gerald was a great family man and will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Cindy Scott; and great granddaughter, Alexis Maduro.

Gerald survived by his loving wife, Sharon Johnson Jones of Archer, FL; daughter, Karen Poole of Gainesville, FL; son, Gerald "Lee" Jones, Jr of Archer, FL; sister, Hazel( Ed) Shivers of Lakeland, FL; grandchildren, Jamie, Misty, Michael, Daphne, Meghan, Scarlette and Nicole; 16 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandson as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Graveside Celebration of Gerald's Life will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 11:00 am, at Dedan Cemetery in Brooker, Florida. The family will receive friends and hour prior at the Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of V. Todd Ferreira Funeral Services and Archie Tanner Memorial Chapel, Starke, Fl. 904-964-5757