Cleophas Jones

Cleophas Jones was born May 9, 1952, to Johnnie and Vivian Moore Jones in Kansas City, Kansas. He was the fifth child born to this union.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Marlon Jones, Sr.; his sisters, Jonether Walker, Beuilah Reid, Evon Jones; brother, Lemoyne Jones, Sr. and granddaughter, Ciara Jones.

Cleophas grew up in the Kansas City, KS area and attended Hawthorne Elementary, Northeast Jr. High School and graduated from Sumner High School class of 1970.  He also attended a technical   vocational school and took business courses. In his youth he attended Calvary Missionary Baptist Church and later in life he joined Trinity AME Church.

Cleophas met the love of his life, Juanita Garlington in elementary school. They cultivated their grade school puppy love, and it grew stronger in junior high through high school. They were married on December 20, 1970, resulting in nearly 55 years of marriage. There were four children born to this union, Cleophas Jr., Kimberly and twins, Michael and Marlon.

Cleophas was employed for 39 years with TWA/American Airlines as an aircraft mechanic. Cle was a member of the International Association of Machinist and the Transport Workers Union. He was very intelligent and good with his hands.  There wasn’t anything that he could not fix or repair. He would proudly boast that he never had to call a repairman to fix anything in “the house that Cle built!”

Cleophas lived life to the fullest.  He enjoyed hosting back yard cookouts for his birthday, playing cards, listening to music, dancing, entertaining and just having an overall good time. He would often say “I love the life I live and I live the life I love!” He was the life of every party, whether it was his or not and always the center of attention. He was also a very generous man and would give you the shirt off of his back.

Cleophas departed his earthly life on Monday, March 17, 2025 and leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife, Juanita Garlington Jones; sons, Cleophas Jones, Jr. (Celia), Michael Jones (Jazel); daughters, Kimberly Lavender (Lance), Stephanie Smith (Eubie); grandsons, Stefan Jones, Cleophas Jones III, Marlon Jones, Jr., Martavious Jones, Lance Lavender, Jr.; granddaughters, Erica Saffold, Shacoya Jones, Naya Jones, JaLynn Smith; great grandchildren, Journey Powell, Dereon Young, Jr,; brothers, Melvin Jones (Sylvia), Timothy Jones, and a host of relatives and friends.