Laurence Edward Jones, "Coach Jones," age 82, Detroit Public Schools beloved teacher and athletic coach, ran his final race, and crossed the finish line April 22, 2022, in Greensboro, NC.   Cherished husband, father, "PawPaw," "baby" brother, and uncle, Laurence passed away  peacefully at home.

Laurence Edward, "Larry," Jones was born on November 27, 1939 in Dallas, Texas.  He was the youngest of three children born to Harold Lowell Jones Sr. and Geraldine Thornton Jones. Laurence attended Dallas Public Schools until the family moved to Detroit, Michigan.  There he attended Foch Jr. High, then Southeastern High School, on Detroit's east side, in the Detroit Public School System.

Laurence availed himself of much that Southeastern had to offer. His list of activities was impressive. He was in various clubs. He participated in many sports, and was an outstanding athlete.  Laurence played basketball.  He was a star football player, playing Reserve & Varsity, plus All City and All-State Football.  He excelled in track and field, with jumping hurdles his specialty. He also played baseball, and was invited one year to spring training with the Detroit Tigers.

Laurence was artistically and musically gifted as well. He played trumpet in both school bands.  He sang in church choirs and school Glee Club.  It was during this time, in 1956, that he formed, and was lead singer of  Larry Jones and The Fortunes.  In 1958, he graduated from Southeastern High School.

Laurence attended Philander Smith College, an HBCU, in Little Rock, Arkansas.  It was there he became a member of his beloved Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Beta Tau Chapter, on March 10, 1963.  His life's work embodied the organization's purpose of "ACHIEVEMENT" —seeking "to raise the sights of Black youths and stimulate them to accomplishments higher than might otherwise be realized or even imagined." Laurence graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Philander Smith College in 1966, armed to excite, inspire, and encourage all the youth he would subsequently encounter.

Laurence gave his life to Christ at an early age. He worshipped at many churches over the years. One of his most enjoyable experiences was as a Sunday School teacher at East Grand Boulevard United Methodist Church, where he was charged with leading a classroom of teenagers. He made learning enjoyable, and the joy he felt while teaching was directly mirrored back to him through the responses of the students he instructed. He was greatly aware of the impact he had on the lives of the young people he touched, and he took that responsibility seriously, but always with a hint of mischief and fun.

Coach Jones worked at many different schools in Detroit - Palmer, Breitmeyer, and Marshall  Elementary Schools; De La Salle, Murray Wright, Central and Northern High Schools. He was athletic instructor, football and track coach, and mentor; serving for over 30 years, until he retired.  It was during those years that he founded the Detroit Blazers Track Club, along with Dan Davis Sr., in 1989.  Hard workouts in the hot sun were a requirement, and every practice session ended with Coach Jones leading his Blazers in The  Lord's Prayer, where the young teammates would add an enthusiastic "aaiight!" at the end of the prayer, after "Amen."  The Detroit Blazers Track Club inspired hundreds of Detroit's inner city youth to participate in Track & Field competitions, and every year afforded the best young athletes the opportunity to go to the AAU Junior Olympic Games, held in various states around the country.

Coach Jones and The Detroit Blazers were featured several times in the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News. In 1998, Coach Larry Jones was named by USA Weekend as one of the nation's five "Most Caring Coaches." He always had an encouraging word, a heart full of love, and a duffel bag full of gently worn cleats for those children whose parents couldn't afford new ones.

Laurence took a group of athletes to compete in an event at Central High School. That is where he was introduced to Jewel Lumpkin, a dance teacher, who worked there. They were united in holy matrimony on June 24, 1989.  To this union one child was born, Joi Lynn Jones.  Joi Lynn gave them a  granddaughter, Aria Harmony Quinn, who lovingly referred to her grandfather as "PawPaw."  Joi and Aria were Laurence's true delights.  His favorite pastime was watching old westerns on television, and wearing his cowboy hat!  He  was a life long dog lover, and was especially fond of Jason, his 110 pound, white, Great Pyrenees dog.  After 15 wonderful years together, he welcomed a new Great Pyrenees puppy, Deuce, into his heart.

Laurence was a dapper dresser. He could be counted on to have the most stylish wardrobe; purchased in downtown Detroit, from Hughes-Hatcher-Suffrin, the top name in gentlemen's fine apparel.  He was "GQ" before GQ got to be popular!  And he always had a cool ride - the Cougar, the Cadillac, the Riviera, and that red Thunderbird Convertible!

Laurence Edward, "Uncle Larry," "Larry," "Coach Jones," was the life of any gathering.  His antics knew no bounds, and would only grow as the size of his "audience" grew! He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.  He will forever be revered by the "Home Team," and his memory will remain in the hearts and minds of many.

Laurence was preceded in death by his parents, as well as his older brother, Harold Lowell Jones Jr., "Teddy."  He is survived by his wife, Jewel Lumpkin Jones; daughter, Joi Lynn Jones Rutherford (Andre); granddaughter, Aria Harmony Quinn; his sister, Velma LaVerne Jones Daniels, "Bunch," who will dearly miss her "Baby Brother." He finished FIRST PLACE in the hearts of four generations of 66 nieces and nephews; the first generation considering him more of a Brother-uncle (a "Bruncle!"),  the next three generations knowing, or will know in time that "Uncle Larry was hype!" He will also be remembered with fondness and love by a host of other relatives, friends, former students, and track team members.

Services will be held in Greensboro, NC and in Detroit, MI.

A homegoing celebration will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2022 in the Goldie Hargett Memorial Chapel. Visitation with the family begins at 10:00 am followed by the service at 10:30 am.