Beloved jurist was leader on and off the bench
September 2, 1953 – October 7, 2021
If character is destiny, then Larry Jones was born to be a judge. Intelligent, diligent, thoughtful, deliberate, patient, and generous are just some of the attributes he possessed, according to friends and colleagues who knew him well.
“Judge Larry Antonio Jones, Sr. was an outstanding jurist and an exemplary community leader, on and off the bench,” said retired Judge Ronald B. Adrine, his longtime friend and colleague, in a statement released by Cleveland Municipal Court. “More importantly, he was an exemplary human being.” Speaking for many in the legal community, Adrine called Jones’ unexpected death a “profound” loss.
Judge Michelle D. Earley, now the Presiding Judge of the Municipal Court Jones once led, recalls how Judge Jones understood and often said the court was not just a place to pass sentence. It was a place, he understood where judges often see many people at an early age and can exert a positive impact upon their lives.
Larry Antonio Jones was born September 2, 1953, in Valdosta, Georgia to James and Mary [Rayford] Jones. The Jones family moved to Cleveland in 1955 to seek better employment opportunities than were available in the deep South of that era.
Glenville High School is where Larry met Jennifer, who became the love of his life. Graduating with honors, Larry enrolled at the College of Wooster, where he majored in Political Science. It was there that his interest in politics began to flourish, and he became very active in student government. One of his instructors was the esteemed Solomon Oliver Jr., someone Larry came to admire and sought to emulate. Professor Oliver later became Dean Oliver at Cleveland State University’s College of Law and eventually Chief Judge of the US District Court in the Northern District of Ohio.
Following his graduation from Wooster. Larry entered Case Western Reserve Law School and in 1978 he graduated with his juris doctorate. He and Jennifer had married on July 16, 1977. Their family was completed with the subsequent arrivals of LaToya Marie and Larry Antonio II.
Larry’s first job as an attorney was as an assistant county prosecutor under John T. Corrigan. His political juices kicked in quickly and he ran for Cleveland city council in 1979 against Cesar Moss, suffering the first and only loss of his political career.
Larry ran again two years later, winning the first of his three year terms on council. He served on city council from January 1981 until November 1987. His love for the law had him contemplating a run for judge when Gov. Dick Celeste appointed him to Cleveland Municipal Court in November 1987.
Judge Jones ran successfully in 1988 to retain his seat on the bench and was regularly reelected every six years thereafter. During his nearly 21 years on the municipal bench, his colleagues elected him the presiding and administrative judge for 14 years. In 1998 the Cleveland Municipal court was given a grant to start the Greater Cleveland Drug Court. He presided over this court until his election to the Eighth District court of Appeals in 2008. He served until his death.
Judge Jones took his work seriously but not himself. Ohio Supreme Court Justice Melody Stewart served about a decade alongside Larry until she was elected a Justice in 2018. He was fond of greeting each of his colleagues as "my favorite judge", with a genuine but nearly imperceptible wink in his voice.
Away from the bench, Larry developed a love for golf. He approached the game earnestly, taking lessons and practicing regularly, always wanting to improve his game. He joined the Tee Men golf club in 1987. He enjoyed the outings and camaraderie with his golf mates.
In 2006 Jennifer decided she wanted to learn urban ballroom dancing and Larry had two left feet! There was no rhythm at all, but he went faithfully with her to the Kinsman Party Center once a week. Amazingly he was transformed and fell in love with ballroom dancing. That led him to Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire Dance Studios. The Argentine Tango became his passion for the last two years.
Larry enjoyed wood working as a hobby, he made ink pen sets, bookshelves, tables, curios and jewelry boxes.
He was a member of many professional and civic organizations, including Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, Norman S. Minor Bar Association, National Bar Association, Ohio State Bar Association, National Association of Drug Court Professionals, and the Greater Cleveland Drug Court Advisory Board. He was also a member of the Ohio Black Judges Association and served as the group’s chaplain.
He was devoted to God and his family. He began his Christian witness as a faithful member of Everlasting Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as trustee. In 2004 he and Jennifer decided to attend the same church, joining Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, where he became an Elder. His favorite scriptures included Proverbs 3:5-6 and 21-26; Psalms 27: 1-3 and 11-14; and 1 Kings 3:9-13.
Judge Jones is survived by wife of 44 years Jennifer Jones; his children, LaToya and Larry Jones II (Natia Jones); his granddaughter Ciarra Price; his parents James and Mary Jones; and his sister, Winsome (Tyrone Gaines), He was predeceased by his brother, James Bernard Jones.
The funeral service for Judge Jones will be held at Public Hall on Saturday, October 23, beginning with a viewing at 9:30a. Services will begin at 10:30a. The Rev. C. Jay Matthews, senior pastor of Mt. Sinai, will officiate. Final arrangements have been entrusted to Gaines Funeral Home.
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