Larry D. Jones

Larry Darnell Jones was born August 30, 1952, at the University of Kansas Medical Center, in Kansas City, KS, to the union of Willie Melvin and Bertha Lee McCloud-Jones.

His parents, his sister Willa Ann Jones-Fields, and brothers Melvin, Dwight, Mark, and Michael Jones preceded him in death.

Larry was educated in the Kansas City, MO Public School District from elementary school to Central Junior High School and then Paseo High School. In 1968, Larry graduated from Paseo High School. Paseo High School was also where Larry met Kathleen (Kathy) Marie. On June 6, 1970, Larry and Kathy were married—one week after she graduated. To this union two daughters were born: Shont’e Marie and Janel Nicole. Larry was dedicated to his family. To be a relatively young husband and father, Larry took his role seriously.

His employment record speaks volumes, as he demonstrated a consistent work ethic. Straight out of high school, from 1969 to 1977, Larry worked as a career development paraprofessional for the Kansas City, MO School District.

In the early 1970’s, Larry also served the community as the YMCA’s volunteer girls basketball coach. From 1977 to 2008, Larry held various lead and management positions in convention facilities (Bartle Hall and Kemper Arena) for the City of Kansas City, MO. After 31 years, Larry retired yet continued to work jobs that gave him an opportunity to work with children and teens with special needs. For two years, Larry was a youth worker at Hilltop Residential Services, Jackson County, MO, and for one year was a community support specialist with Swope Parkway Health Center, Behavioral Health Children’s Unit. Still, Larry’s steady work did not keep him from pursuing a college education. Larry firmly believed education was the pathway to better-paying jobs. Initially, Larry attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO. He later transferred to Avila College in Kansas City, MO, taking night classes towards a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, which he completed in 1976.

Eventually Larry stepped away from full-time employment to enjoy retirement. Larry spent his time managing the family home, and to Kathy’s surprise, Larry let the cat out of the bag. He knew how to cook!

After about four years, Larry decided to return to the workforce. He started as a long-term building substitute for Boone Elementary (KCMO), 2017-2018. In 2018, Larry joined the staff as a special education para at Leawood Elementary of the Blue Valley School District. Each day, Larry beamed with joy as he served the Leawood students.

As a man of faith, Larry, Kathy, Shonté, and Janel worshipped as a family at Second Missionary Baptist Church in Grandview, MO under the late Pastor Donald D. Ford I. For more than 30 years, Larry served in several ministries (usher, food service, the choir, and the male chorus). But the greatest ministry he served in was as a deacon, ordained in 1998. In September 2010, Larry and Kathy joined The Worship Center of KC (TWC) under the leadership of Pastor Eric and Lady Valerie Cobbins. They remained active until 2020. Larry and Kathy served in the music Ministry and were program administrators with the Marriage Mentoring Program.

In addition, Larry worked very diligently as a coach and was committed to TWC’s Boys to Men ministry. As a Christian mentor, Larry’s influence is remembered by those whose lives he impacted. He was active in The Foundation for Christian Care, serving as a mentor and providing consistent guidance and support. He met with men every other Monday, offering wisdom, accountability, and encouragement rooted in faith and integrity. When Manifestation Christian Center, led by Terrell McTyer, launched in 2014, Larry was a foundational partner. He was known for his deep commitment to discipleship and community support as part of MCC’s outreach and service to people. Also, Larry, alongside Justin Lockhart, co-founded One STEP Ministries, which began as a men’s group and then gradually evolved into a ministry focused on reaching the lost. Larry’s dedication, wise counsel, and remarkable gift of wisdom were instrumental to the ministry’s impact. Clearly, Larry touched the lives of those with whom he came in contact. To know him was to also know his gentle spirit, his love for God, family, and others, and his passion to encourage people to know Jesus Christ and trust God with their lives.

Larry leaves to cherish fond memories with the love of his life of nearly 55 years, Kathleen Marie Jones; daughters and sons-in-law Shonte (Marcus) Guess and Janel (Malcolm) Jones-Norwood; grandson Marques S. Guess; siblings: Gary (Tracy) Jones, Carol Jones, Christopher Jones, Anthony McLin, Kevin McLin, and Kenneth McLin; brother-in-law Pastor CleOtis (Pamela) Cobbins, Jr.; sisters-in-law: Regina Boles, Rev. Anita L. Cobbins, Tressa Whitney, and Sharion Cobbins; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, along with the staff and students of Leawood Elementary School and friends.