Benjamin Edward Jones

Benjamin Edward Jones was born on November 22, 1948 in Evergreen, Alabama to John and Willie Bell Jones as the 5th of 11 children. Shortly after he was born, the Jones family moved just across the border to Century, Florida, where Benjamin spent the rest of his childhood until he graduated from Century High School in 1966. With big dreams of getting out of the segregated south and becoming a professional athlete, Ben went to college in South Carolina where he was a star varsity basketball player. A remarkable athlete with a lot of potential, Ben's collegiate basketball career was cut short when he was drafted into the United States Army in February 1971, where he served for 2 years in South Korea.

After completing his required military service, Ben came back to the United States and moved to Boston, Massachusetts following in the footsteps of his older siblings. There, he pursued several of his passions including trying out for the Boston Celtics and going back to school to get his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University. While attending school at Northeastern, he also worked at Boston City Hospital where he met Lorna Webb. The two dated and got married in August 1976 (eventually divorcing in 1982). He then cultivated an impressive career for 28 years as a Probation Officer at Quincy District Court, working his way up to the title of Assistant Chief Probation Officer in 2000. He retired in August 2010. Never one to just get by, in addition to his full-time job as a Probation Officer, Ben also created and ran several successful businesses including an independent sales office for Amway in the 1980s, invented and sold the "ShoeCup" fashion product in the 1990s, and created and owned Jani-Clean Co., Inc.; a professional carpet cleaning business that specialized and thrived in residential and commercial carpet cleaning throughout New England for over a decade.

A lifelong athlete, Ben lived an unbelievably active lifestyle all the way up until his terminal cancer diagnosis earlier this year. He loved working out at the gym (he had 3 different gym memberships!) and was a certified personal trainer, an avid cyclist (often cycling in upwards of 10-15 miles per day!), a competitive (some would say ruthless) tennis player, hiker, runner and rollerblader. He loved doing anything and everything active and could never sit still for very long! In the last few years of his life, he also found a passion for music and singing, taking singing lessons and giving acapella performances wherever he went! He said "music and singing just make me feel so good!" and was often a source of comfort for him as he was going through his cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Known by many as one of the kindest men you will ever meet, Benjamin poured endless amounts of love into his family and friends. Whenever visiting someone at their home, he always made sure to bring a small gift of gratitude, thanking them for their hospitality, whether it was the first or the 100th time visiting. As an adoring and attentive father, he taught his children the importance of a strong work ethic, self confidence, kindness and a positive attitude.

Benjamin is survived by his daughter, Kiah Shani Jones (43), son, Benjamin Edward Jones II (42) and grandson, Benjamin Edward Jones III (3), ten brothers and sisters: Willa, Vernell, Emma, John, Brenda, Carolyn, Geraldine, Steven, Sharron and Leon and his many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Thank you to all of our family, friends and loved ones who offer love and support during this difficult time.

Favorite song
All of Me by John Legend

Favorite Car
Porsche 911 GT3

Favorite Foods
Fruit, Cornbread with Buttermilk, Fried Chicken, Franks & Beans, Lasagna, Apple Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream

Visitation will be held from the Farley Funeral Home, 358 Park St. (Rt. 27) Stoughton on Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 9-10 AM followed by a private funeral service for his family. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation on Ben's behalf to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. (https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/)