F Lewis Jones

Franklin Lewis Jones died peacefully in his sleep on Friday, July 3rd, surrounded by family, music and prayers. He was preceded in death by his father, Elisha Jones, his mother, Maggie Mae Fulford Jones, and his sisters Neta Thigpen, Goldie Dixon, Louise Helms, Annette Stewart and Sara Speigner. He was born in rural Grady County, Georgia, on September 11, 1935. While stationed at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, from 1953-1956, he met Carol Ruth Smith and upon his discharge in 1956 they were married on December 22nd of that year. They have three children: Kendall Lewis Jones, married to Carol Carroll Jones, living in Woodstock, GA; Karen Elizabeth Few, married to Timothy Rooks Few, living in Tallahassee, FL; and Kerry Earl Jones, married to Nan Lipsey Jones, living in Hoover, AL. They have five grandchildren, Kyle Lewis Jones, Brannon Everett Jones, David William Few, Karilyn Mary Few and Lillian Polk Jones. They are also blessed to have three great grand children, Laney Clara Jones, Ellie Pearl Jones and Jackson Bryce Baggett.

After graduating from Thomasville (Georgia) High School, Lewis served in U.S. Army bands (1953-1956) and attended Florida State University (1956-1960). He received a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1960, graduating in the top 5% of the graduates as a Pi Kappa Lambda member. A Masters in Music Education at F.S.U. was earned in 1975.

Lewis was Band Director at Greensboro (FL) High School from 1960-1963, Vigor High School in Mobile, AL, from 1963-1966 and Leon High School in Tallahassee, FL, from 1966-1978. During his career his band programs were consistently rated Superior in marching, concert, jazz and solo and ensemble performances at District and State FBA Festivals and were recognized nationally for their quality of performances.

As a performer on trumpet, Lewis was a soloist with the 291st Army Band, participated with all instrumental groups at FSU, was principal trumpet with the Mobile Symphony, Ballet Orchestra and Opera Orchestra and had extensive experience in dance bands and show orchestras.

From 1978-1983 Lewis was Church Administrator/Music Director/Treasurer at John Wesley United Methodist Church in Tallahassee. While at John Wesley he served as chair of various committees and as volunteer music director for over 10 years prior to his full time employment.

Lewis retired in September 2000 after serving 17 years as Executive Director of the FBA. After his retirement from FBA he served as an adjunct assistant professor of music education at FSU, observing and supervising student teachers during their internship. During his retirement years he enjoyed playing golf and spending time with his family, friends, colleagues and former students.

Most of Lewis’ music education career was marked by service to his students and to the professional leadership and administrative aspects of Florida music education. He served at the local, district and state levels of professional organizations in Florida and Alabama. He served in various capacities with the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA), the Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA), the Florida School Music Association, the Florida High School Activities Association, the Music Committee of the National Federation Interscholastic Music Association and the Omega chapter of Phi Beta Mu. He served as president of FBA, FMEA and Phi Beta Mu. Lewis was a clinician-conductor of District Honor Bands in Florida and Georgia and an adjudicator for Concert and Solo and Ensemble in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama.

In 1963 Lewis was inducted as the youngest charter member of Omega (Florida) Chapter of the national bandmasters’ fraternity Phi Beta Mu. In 1976 he was a co-recipient of the MAC Award by First Chair of America as one of the two outstanding Florida band directors for that year. He became an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi, honorary band service fraternity, in 1976. In 1986, and again in 2001, he was presented the award for Outstanding Contribution to Music Education by Phi Beta Mu.

1995 marked his induction into the Florida Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame and in 1997 was inducted into the Florida Music Educators Association Hall of Fame. He received the Outstanding Leadership Award presented by the FMEA and the Florida School Music Association Distinguished Leadership Award.

He will be remembered as one who tried to give God first place, who practiced his belief in the sacredness of the Christian family by his dedication to his family and as one who tried to show his love and respect for his fellow human beings by serving them to the best of his abilities. He served and worshipped faithfully at John Wesley United Methodist Church and later at Chaires United Methodist Church, serving primarily in the areas of music and missions.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Florida United Methodist Children’s Home Madison Youth Ranch, PO Box 38, Pinetta, FL 32350, or to the Leon Band Foundation, 550 E. Tennessee St., Tallahassee, FL 32308. A memorial service with visitation immediately following will be held at John Wesley United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 18th, 1:00 pm.