Clayton Jones Sr.

Clayton Lee Jones, Sr., age 85 of Battle Creek, joined his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday March 22, 2013. He was born in Gassaway, West Virginia on August 28, 1927.  He is survived by wife, Theola M. Jones, of 63 years.  He is an Air Force Veteran of WWII.  He worked for Grand Trunk Railroad as a Civil Engineer for 34 years out of the Battle Creek office.  In his retirement he was lovingly nicknamed “the paint general” for Habitat of Battle Creek.  He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church; Chairman of the church board for many years, including chairman of the building committee for the original structure on North Avenue sold to KCC, and the current facility at Capital Avenue, NE.  He sang in the choir for over 50 years. He is a beloved husband, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He was bigger than life to all who knew him, especially grandchildren.  He loved the Lord Jesus with all his heart, soul, and mind.  He was a humble, strong man of godly character.  He was the last surviving member of his immediate family, all who have preceded him home to the Lord:  parents, Raymond B. Jones and Sarah Chloe Jones; brother, Edsel Jones and sister, Anita (Jones) Nesseth.  Clayton and Theola had six children, four of whom preceded him to the Lord:  Daniel Lee Jones, Clayton Lee Jones, Jr., Stephen Craig Jones, and Denise Lerie (Jones) Pierce.  Children surviving him are Debra (Jones) and Gary Bennett of Big Rapids, MI; Robert and Wendy (Howard) Jones of Hendersonville, North Carolina, daughter-in-law, Sally (Burlison) Jones of Grayslake, Illinois (wife of Lee). Grandchildren:  Brian Bennett and Cindy Bennett, Jason and Tami Bennett, Nathan and Leslie Jones, Nolan and Rachel Jones, Evan Jones, Jaimee (Pierce) Mills, Tyler and Erin Jones, Ryan Jones, Carissa Jones, Caleb Jones, Gavin Wiley, and Kailin Wiley. Great-grandchildren:  Hannah, Dawson and Elle Bennett, Connor Mills and Isabella Pitz, Reese Bennett, and Anna Jones.  A Memorial service will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday March 27, 2013 at Calvary Baptist Church with Pastor Tom Townsend officiating. Memorial gifts may be given to Gideons International.

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