By Sonya Hollins, editor
editor@comvoicesonline.com
KALAMAZOO (Mich).-The community will celebrate the legacy of the late Rep. Robert B. Jones during a special tribute event from 2-5 p.m. Wednesday where Jones will lay in state in the City Hall Atrium. A funeral for Jones will be held at noon, Thursday, at Miller Auditorium at Western Michigan University.
Jones was first elected as mayor of the City of Kalamazoo in 1998 and was on the fast-track to being a ‘peoples’ legislator’. He tirelessly supported organizations and businesses in the community of all sizes. Known by many for his mustache with the curled ends, he held the office of mayor for three terms and went on to serve in the State Capitol as a member of the House of Representatives. For the past five years he contributed a column to Community Voices, which connected the community to what changes he was helping implement on their behalf.
This past February, Jones invited local girls to the State Capitol for a special tour, dinner and youth program in the Rotunda. During the visit he took time out to allow the girls of the Merze Tate Travel Club to interview him and take photos. The Jeffersonville, Ga. native told the students about his degree in chemistry and working for Upjohn and Pharmacia for 28 years.
On October 17, the Kalamazoo community and State of Michigan lost a hero for change when Jones passed away in his home shortly after attending church service at Mt. Zion Baptist Church. His gentle spirit coupled with his desire to make a positive difference in the community of Kalamazoo as well as the State was shown through his elected positions as former Kalamazoo mayor and member of the Michigan House of Representatives. He leaves a wife, Callie Baskerville-Jones, six children and one grandchild. He was 66 years old.
