Obituary for Gerald Jones

Gerald Fredirick Jones

July 7, 1947 – August 23, 2021

Deacon Gerald F. Jones was born July 7, 1947 to James Celestine and Lucille Jones in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

He attended Douglas High School in Oklahoma and was also a student at Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa, Oklahoma and The University Center in Ponca City, Oklahoma. He worked as a chef, an Electrical Apprentice and Carpenter as well. He worked for the International Restaurant, Ponca Barrel and Drum and Nabisco, among other employers, and later retired from Conoco.

Gerald was baptized at the age of 5 at St. John Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1952. Deacon Jones was ordained as a Deacon in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1991. Gerald was very active in his younger years playing football and basketball. He loved spending time with his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and especially enjoyed making memories with his wife, Wamala Settles-Jones. He enjoyed playing chess, games on his phone and going to the casino, but still could not dance. He was a mentor to many and always encouraged anyone he talked to or came in contact with. He always talked about the good in everyone and helped the best he could with the bad. He continued to support anyone he interacted with.

Gerald is preceded in death by his mother, Lucille Jones; father, James Celestine; daughter, Kennetha Lawson; son, Jarred Jones; niece, Madra Jones; great grand daughter, Mayola LaFay Cousins; grandmother, Marzipher Jones; great grand mother, Pastorial Quinn.

He leaves behind his wife, Wamala Settles-Jones; brother, Edward Jones; sons, Eugene and wife Cynthia Lawson and Otis Lawson Jr; daughter, Celestine Hardiman; stepdaughter Shakima Kelly, stepson Nicholas and wife Jamie Backus, grandchildren, Dominque and wife Dominique Lawson; Byron and wife Lakresha Lawson; Zackery Lawson-Holroyd; Donavan and wife Kelly, Jamari Backus, Natalie Backus, Terris Backus, nathan Backus, and Ethan Kelly, Cousins; Will and wife Audrey Hardiman; Jennifer McGrew; Michael Lawson; Marvel Eugene Lawson Jr; Jesse Lawson; Sheletha Lawson; Theresa Diacon. Special neice, Latricia Mathis; special cousins, Beverly Johnson; host of great grand children, nieces, nephews, cousins and family.

Gerald’s visitation will be Thursday, September 2, 2021, from 10 AM to 8 PM at Trout Funeral Home of Ponca City. His graveside service will be on Friday, September 3, 2021 at Hillcrest Memory Gardens in Spencer, OK at 2:00 PM. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK 74601.

Source: Trout Funeral Home