Ned

Jones, Jr.

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IN LOVING MEMORY

Ned Jones, Jr.

Mar 23 1948 - Nov 01 2025

Ned Jones, Jr. was born on March 23, 1948, to the late Thelma and Ned Jones, Sr., in Ehrhardt, South Carolina. He attended public schools in Bamberg County before his family relocated to Cocoa, Florida. There, he was a student at Monroe High School and later transferred to Cocoa High School, where he was among the first students to integrate. He graduated in June 1966.

Ned was preceded in death by his parents, Ned and Thelma Jones, and his sister, Cynthia Jane Jones Lyons.

As a teenager, Ned developed a passion for fast cars—a love that continued throughout his life and became one of his defining joys. Those close to him will always remember this fondly. When it came time to begin his career, rather than joining the family’s masonry business with his father, Ned chose a different path in retail, often joking that he “needed to be in the air conditioning.”

He began working for JM Fields in Florida while still a senior in high school as a sales associate—what he liked to call “a rug clerk.” Through hard work and determination, he rose through the management ranks to become a Store Manager before the company was acquired in 1961. Leadership came naturally to Ned, and he dedicated his professional life to guiding and supporting others.

After leaving JM Fields, Ned went on to enjoy a long and successful career in retail management, holding positions with several companies, including Ames/Zayre, Toys “R” Us, and ultimately TJX Companies, which includes Marshalls and T.J. Maxx. He retired from TJX as Regional Vice President of the Southwest Region after 26 years of service, having opened the region in 2001.

Ned’s passion for mentoring others extended well beyond his career. In retirement, he volunteered with SCORE, a division of the Small Business Administration, where he continued to inspire and guide aspiring entrepreneurs. Helping others brought him great fulfillment and pride.

Travel became one of Ned’s greatest joys in retirement. His journeys often combined his love of travel, fine dining, and wine collecting—culminating in his personal goal to dine at the world’s top restaurants, one trip at a time. Above all, Ned cherished time spent with his family, which brought him his greatest happiness.

Ned quietly departed this earthly life in the early hours of Saturday, November 1, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife, Laurie Dean; one daughter, Felicia (Kevin Mitchell) Jones of Smyrna, GA; one son, Joel (Crystal) Jones of Viera, FL; two sisters, Shirley Murphy and Francine (Kenneth) Speed, both of Cocoa, FL; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends.


Celebration of Life Service
Date: Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Gateway Church *
7125 Legacy Drive, Frisco, TX 75034

(*) North entrance – NextGen/Office 

Facebook Live link for the livestream, https://fb.me/e/3NXBVIzpf?mibextid=wwXIfr


In Lieu of Flowers
Please consider contributing to a cause that Ned cared deeply about: the American Heart Association.


Memorials

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