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Born on November 17, 1946, to God-loving parents Henry and Mabel Jones, Rodney grew up in Sunnyside, an historic southeast Houston community where, years later, he would be elected civic club president. Attending public schools in the Houston Independent School District, he graduated from Evan E. Worthing in 1964 with fond memories of his day’s running track and playing varsity football. After graduation, he enrolled in and graduated from California State University with an under graduate degree in Industrial Arts. While at Cal State in Los Angeles, California, he became an Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity man, which was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream; however, nothing was as important to him as earning his BA degree and later completing the certification for a Masters’ degree in Industrial Technology at Prairie View A & M University.

Rodney was employed as a Right-of-Way agent for the City of Houston and a realtor for Coldwell Bankers, but his passion had always been teaching. So he sought employment with Houston ISD and was hired as an Industrial Arts/Mechanical Arts teacher at Stephen F. Austin High School. His thirty-five year tenure was nothing less than outstanding. His craft quickly became his calling as he labored tirelessly to teach, but more importantly, to motivate and inspire students to reach lofty goals. He made an indelible impression on his students with his knowledge of the subject area, his fair but firm treatment of them, his classroom organization, his baby face, immaculate attire, and spit-shined high-polished shoes. Needless to say, many of them give this taskmaster credit for their successes at Austin and after graduation. Truly, a valued employee whose exemplary on-the-job performance spoke volumes about him as a professional and as a man!

He joined into holy matrimony with Angelus Caldwell of Los Angeles, California. This union was blessed with two sons: Kimani and Rodney. Angie and Big Rod taught the boys that being a man involved more than merely turning eighteen. It involved possessing and honing such traits as working hard, keeping your word, setting high goals, and other life-affirming qualities, all of which were demonstrated by parents who knew that the boys had to be tough because sometimes the world could (and would) be brutally unkind and unfair. As a result, their sons learned their lessons well and grew to manhood, thus making their parents proud. Now Kimani and Rodney are passing their parents’ teachings on to their children.

Church had always been an integral part of Rodney’s life. Childhood and young adult days were nurtured at Boynton United Methodist Church. But, in later years, he joined Lakewood Church, where he was an active member at the time of his passing. Throughout his life, he did not merely grow old in the world, he grew up at the cross. Because of a sustaining, strengthening Christian walk, he was a radiant example of God’s transformative grace.

At the end of his life, Rodney courageously battled a life-threatening disease and all of its painful side effects. But in spite of his gallant efforts and determination to reverse doctors’ grim and disheartening prognosis, his health eventually failed. Needless to say, this devastating illness neither drained his optimism nor diminished his acceptance of God’s appointed plan for his life. He knew that our Heavenly Father takes care of His own in His own time and in His own way. For a faith worthy of emulating, we celebrate Rodney’s life and praise his resurrection.

So, ‘death, be not proud,” for you have not been victorious over Rodney Jones. As one of God’s children, he came to the end of his pilgrimage; and, as a result, he joyfully transitioned to eternal life. When he exchanged his earthly home for our Father’s heavenly mansion, he began a peaceful rest in the bosom of the Lord. Now he has no pain. To be in such a dwelling place, to behold the Lord face-to-face, is, indeed, a time for rejoicing.

Rodney leaves in God’s hands: two sons: Attorney Rodney Robert Jones (Nativida) of Houston, Texas, and Kimani Atiba Jones of Los Angeles, California; five grandchildren: Jourdan, Jasiri, Emmanuel, Miracle, and Richman; aunts: Darlene Chaney of Alexandria, Louisiana and Catherine Jones of Houston, Texas and a host of other relatives; and friends who were like family.