Edward Cornelius Jones

I, Edward Cornelius Jones, was born on May 9, 1964 in Dallas, Texas. I was immediately given the nickname of Buster, but it is pronounced by family and childhood friends as "Busta ." Later on in life, I will be known mostly as Edward or Ed. My parents, CW Jones and Belvert Marie Doss-Jones were teenagers fresh out of high school that had moved from their small country towns to Dallas to start their lives.  Dad was 20 and Mother was 19 by the time I was born, but they were so excited about their first born.  I was the first grandchild for my beloved maternal grandmother, Maggie Dupree-Doss, and I affectionately called her "Mee Mee."  She made me feel so special because I kept every birthday card she ever gave to me.

One day when I was four years old, my mother came home with this little baby boy they called "BoBo."  I wasn't that excited about it neither because I was special because my grandmother said so.  I would sneak in the room and pinch him when mother wasn't looking to make him cry.  But in time, I would grow to love my baby brother and protect him just like mother said.  My young parents were both extremely hard working which demonstrated to me life lessons that I never wavered from.  Their marriage ended in 1978 and it was the three of us (mother, baby brother and me) to take on the world.  By this time I was 14, and mother gave me the authority to "be in charge" when she wasn't at home.  My baby brother didn't like this idea, so I had to show him who was the boss without even saying a word.  By the way, I didn't have to talk much then because he talked enough for everybody.  During the next four years, our family dynamics changed and we became a blended family.  My father remarried and we welcomed in a brother and three sisters.   It took me a bit longer to embrace them all; however, I grew to appreciate and respect my position as big brother to all of them.  I did everything possible to show them through my actions how to stay focused on a goal and a purpose, again, not saying a lot of words but by demonstration in action and deed.

As a young teenager, I loved sports of many kinds.  I took tennis lessons because I admired Arthur Ashe.  My mother's brother, James Edward Doss, who I was named after, was an avid basketball player.  He took me under his wing along with countless others to teach me the game.  By the time I was in high school, I was a starter on the varsity team and went on to junior college to play.  I never lost the passion for the game, but turned my true passion for physical fitness into a life-time commitment to live healthy and stay in shape.

I worked hard all of my life and was good at whatever I did because I poured my heart into it.  I started out working for my next door neighbors at their janitorial service at 14.  I later worked at McDonald's all through high school.  I kept a job while in college working for Sanger Harris, Nordstorms, and Control Data.  As a working adult, I stayed the course and finished college in December of 1990 from the University of North Texas, Denton with my Bachelor's Degree in Marketing.  My trajectory changed in December of 1993 when I was hired on with Great American Insurance Company as a Workers' Compensation adjuster.  The company was later purchased by Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group and for 29 years of service, I grew and matriculated in my titles and scope of responsibility with my final role as Assistant Vice President, Claims Manager, Zone Claims Workers' Compensation – Dallas.

I married LaShone Montgomery in February 1998 and we had our beloved son, Jordan LaVelle Jones in December 1999.  My marriage ended, but the one thing we agreed upon was to ensure Jordan was the main purpose in everything we did.  I was the best dad that I could be for Jordan.  I attended every event from school productions to pee-wee league sports on to high school basketball and football games.  I ensured he went on vacations with me to build family time and bonding.  I endeavored to make certain Jordan knew and developed lasting relationships with his immediate family (Grammy, Uncle BoBo and Aunt CC) and his extended family so he always had others to be by his side when I could no longer be here with him.  As he entered college, I attended orientation and set up the dorm room along with driving him to and from campus as needed.  I asked him to make me a promise that he would graduate.  I have full confidence that he will complete this goal along with so many others in the days ahead.

I lived my best life.  I lived with a purpose and a passion.  I was committed to anything that I set out to do and lived a regimented and structured life. I loved to travel, and yes, my siblings let me know I was "bougie." I met many people along the journey, some who became my greatest supporters.  I had a 19-month journey with cancer, but it did not define nor determine my life journey; I truly lived my best life for 57 years.

Some of those that were gone before me that were anxiously awaiting my  arrival were my father, CW Jones; maternal grandmother, Maggie Dupree-Walker; favorite uncle and aunt, James Doss and wife LeRuth Doss; my favorite cousin/best friend, Sonja Williams; and my beloved god-daughter, Kennedi Brinkley.  I can't leave out my dog, Shaka.

Forever to cherish my memories are: my pride and joy, son Jordan Jones; my beloved mother, Marie Jones whom I talked with daily; Brothers:  Craig Scott and Curtis Jones; Sisters:  Nikki Sheppard, Keisha Sheppard, and Ciondria Jones-Hughes (Corey); My beloved nephew, Corey Hughes II; God-daughter, Antonisha Parish; mother of Jordan, LaShone Montgomery; my dad's last living sibling, Aunt Dora Gray, along with a wonderful and close-knit of family members, friends, and co-workers from near and far.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org