James Earl Jones Jr.

Jimmy was born on August 20, 1945 in Baltimore, Maryland to Virginia Holden McGraw and Henry Clarkson McGraw. He grew up in North Carolina and graduated from South Mecklenburg High School in 1963. Following his graduation, he attended Central Piedmont Community College and received an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice.

Jimmy met the love of his life, Ann York Jones, while attending college in 1968. They married in 1969 and had two children, Corey McDonald Jones and Ashley Anne Jones.

Much of his life was spent giving back to his country and community. He served proudly in the United States Army from 1963 to 1966 doing tours in Turkey and Vietnam as a Morse Code Interceptor. In 1974, he continued his service in the US Army Reserves as a part of the 812th Transportation Unit, which he continued for many years following. For his active duty service, Jimmy received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal, to which he was honorably discharged.

Following his years in the Army, Jimmy joined the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department in March of 1968. For 31 years he served his community, eventually retiring as a Sergeant of the Adam 1 division in uptown Charlotte in November of 1999.

After retiring from CMPD, he joined the Carolina Panthers Security Division where he would spend the next 20 years. He retired in 2020, or as he liked to call it, "after Tepper took over".

The pride and joys of his life were his grandchildren; Hadley Layne McKenley Davis and Alexander James Todd. He was their biggest cheerleader and enjoyed watching Hadley play soccer and volleyball and Alex play football.

Sports were a big part of his life, and he was an avid fan of the UNC Tarheels and the Atlanta Braves. He grew up loving the Washington Redskins. His allegiance to the Redskins changed to the Panthers shortly after they came to Charlotte. In the last couple of years, Jimmy switched his allegiance back to the Redskins, saying recently that "Riverboat Ron had let him down again".

Jimmy is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Ann York Jones (Matthews), and his two children, Corey McDonald Jones (Asheville) and Ashley Anne Jones (Indian Trail); Grandchildren, Hadley Layne McKenley Davis (Asheville) and Alexander James Todd (Indian Trail).

In addition, he is survived by his favorite sister, Phyllis Jones McKinney. Brother in law, William Earl York III (Rhonda), Sister in law, Donna York Gilbert (Richard) and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father, Henry Clarkson McGraw, mother, Virginia Holden McGraw, father in law, William Earl York, Jr., mother in law, Mary Ann McDonald York, and brother in law, William Henry McKinney.

A service to celebrate Jimmy's life will take place on Wednesday, January 24th, 2024 at 1:00pm at McEwen Funeral Service - Mint Hill Chapel 7428 Matthews Mint Hill Rd. Mint Hill, NC 28227. All are invited to join the family for a reception immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be offered to the grandchildren's athletic booster clubs since that is where he enjoyed spending his free time. A.C. Reynolds High School Athletic Booster Club (Girls Soccer), 1 Rocket Drive, Asheville, NC 28803 or Porter Ridge High School Athletic Booster Club (Football), 2839 Ridge Road, Indian Trail, NC 28079.

Online condolences and memories may be offered at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com