Lessie Eugene “Gene” Jones passed peacefully on January 26, 2025 at the age of 89.
Born April 17, 1935, in Bloomington, Indiana to Lessie Amos Jones and Mimia Jones, he was the youngest of three children.
Education was very important to him. After graduating from high school, he received a degree in education from Indiana University. He taught high school for a few years andthen pursued a master’s degree at Indiana University. After teaching for a few more years at the high school level, he moved to Terre Haute, Indiana to earn a PhD at Indiana State University.
In 1977 he moved to Monroe, Louisiana to teach in the business school at Northeast University, now the University of Louisiana Monroe. When he made tenure, his family was very proud and celebrated with him.
While teaching he remodeled a house on Hudson Street and started, along with Jerry Shaw, The Terre Haute House, a multi-course restaurant with several years of success. He also started The Aperitif on N. 3rd in Monroe.
Not one to require much rest, he remodeled and lived in 15 homes in Monroe and built a home in River Oaks when it was a new development.
Dr. Jones loved to garden and after he retired from teaching, he worked for several clients in the Garden District. The clients became dear friends to him, and he spoke of them often and fondly. He also loved good food and pie for breakfast or any time. The physical aspect of gardening kept him fit and agile so he could enjoy the foods he loved.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Wanda Williams and Ruth Brummett and an infant brother.
Dr. Jones is survived by his niece, Marilyn Skirvin and her children Jacob Skirvin (wife Mary and daughter Gracie) and Brandy Ketterer (son Eli); his nephew Larry Williams and his children; his dear friends, the Cox Family; his dear friend Diane Tucker (owner of Maybe’s); and his dear friends Ken and Mary Norwood.
A service will be held on Friday, January 31at 2:00pm at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, 1321 N 7th St., West Monroe.
The family would like to thank Dr. Keith Calhoun and Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care for the comfort they provided.Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Alzheimer’s Association or ULM Advancement, Foundation & Alumni Relations.
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