David Lazarus Jones

David L. Jones, 62, beloved husband, father and friend, and former GMAC executive, left this life on Dec. 18 at his home in Cary, N.C. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Pauline (née Richard), and two sons, Eric Jones and his wife Pascale of Baltimore, and Christopher Jones of Richmond, Va.

He is also survived by three brothers, Wilbert T. Jones Sr., Tommy T. Jones and Joseph H. Jones Jr. II; two sisters, Rose Crawley and Sarah Ann James; and a host of friends and family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, Vernell and Joseph H. Jones Sr.; two brothers, Lloyd O. Jones and Joseph Jones Jr. I; and one sister, Ethel Jones.

Born the sixth of nine children on Dec. 30, 1950, in Charles City, Va., David faced a youth interrupted by a series of surgeries and illnesses. As he looked back later in life, one of his sustaining memories was that of his mother at his bedside.

He never let those health hurdles stop him from enjoying life. Once, as a teenager, he convinced one of his sisters, his three cousins and four others that they could all fit in one tiny VW Beetle. And it worked – until the car got stuck on a curve from the weight of the over-packed car!

David’s parents emphasized the importance and value of a good education. After high school, David went on to Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., a school he described as a “little U.N.” In 1974, he earned a bachelor’s degree in American Civilization with honors.

After school, David joined GMAC at the Richmond, Va., branch in 1975. He became credit supervisor in 1978, and two years later, moved up to the role of assistant credit manager in Washington, D.C.

In 1981, he received a promotion to credit manager. That year, he also met his future wife, Pauline. Though she initially rebuffed him, he persevered, wooing her with flowers and tiny Christmas trees. He was successful – they were engaged almost a year later, and married in August of 1983.

David received an appointment to sales manager in 1985. Later that year, he and his family moved to Illinois after his promotion to assistant manager of the GMAC branch in Oak Brook Terrace, Ill.

Though David had a bachelor’s degree, he never stopped improving. In 1985, David completed a management development program, sponsored by the American Financial Services Association (AFSA) at the University of North Carolina School of Business. In 1987, he completed an executive development program in business management at the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University. In that same year, he was named business development manager of Chicago’s West Side branch. In June 1988, he became manager of the Joliet, Ill., branch.

In 1991, David and his family moved – this time to GMAC headquarters, Detroit. There, he worked as assistant manager of the Plans Department, until his promotion to Vice President of Consumer Credit, Operations Support and Plans in March 1993.

Again, though he was at the height of his professional career, he stayed ever-focused on growing professionally and intellectually. In May 1996, David completed an executive development program in finance at the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University. He also completed, in May 1998, an advanced management executive development program at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University.

He retired in 2007, and moved with Pauline to Cary, N.C., in 2010.

Throughout his life, David was active in community affairs. His involvements included membership in the Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan Board of Directors, the Music Hall for Performing Arts Board of Trustees, the Farmington Public Schools’ Community Partnership Committee, and the Multicultural/Multiracial Council of Oakland County, Mich.

While David, Pauline and their two boys made their home in Farmington Hills, Mich., he also loved to coach in the Detroit-area Catholic Youth Organization basketball program. He started coaching as a father, but it became much more – as his son Chris grew older, he coached with David; a former player then coached with him, and his influence, his mentorship and his deep sense of fairness extended far beyond the court. In 2006, the CYO presented him with an award for his “many years of service, dedication and generosity.”

He was also a proud Scout Master of Boy Scout troops 919, 467 and 8108.

David was also known throughout life as many things – a jokester, a fastidious planner (anyone who was privy to his many-paged travel itineraries can attest to this) and a loving man. Above all, he treasured his two sons and his wife Pauline, whom he once described as “the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

He was also a man, who, despite the challenges dealt to him, had an unwaveringly positive attitude. At his 50th birthday celebration, he read from a piece titled “Attitude” by Charles Swindoll. “I am convinced that life is 10 percent what happens to me and 90 percent how I react to it,” he read. “And so it is with you … we are in charge of our Attitudes!”

The family wishes to thank everyone for your prayers, flowers, cards, food and other acts of kindness shown to them during their hour of bereavement. Special thanks to Brown-Wynne Funeral Home and the Catholic Community of St. Francis of Assisi. May God’s blessing be upon each of you and keep you.

Tribute

I’m sorry I had to leave you, my loved ones oh so dear,

But, you see the Master called me, his voice was very clear.

I had made my reservation, a Heaven bound ticket for one,

And I knew that He would call me, when He felt my work was done.

All my suffering is over, every trial, and every test,

God called me and I answered, so don’t weep, for I am at rest.

Just ask yourself this question, “Am I ready to meet Him there?”

Where there will be no separation in Heaven, so bright and so fair.

I know your hearts are heavy, because I have gone away,

But when the Master called me, I knew that I could not stay.

When you pass to view my body, remember it is just a house of clay,

For I have crossed over to Glory, and to all of you I say…

Just stay in the hand of Jesus, and we will certainly meet again someday.

Peace be unto you…