Anonymous
Mr. Jones was a terrific teacher at Mason Jr. High, and in many ways, he may have been my first mentor back in 1960-63. He saw the good in me and found some talent that he nurtured at a time in my life when I didn't think I was worth all that much. He was my advocate, talking my mother and new stepfather into buying me a good trombone to develop my abilities and create the sound he knew I was looking for. All the kids in class were amazed at how he could play every instrument and part. He had a great smile, spent countless hours before and after school being a teacher and friend, and every kid in band loved the heck out of him. I ran into Mr. Jones many times over the years, most recently when he played at the funeral of family friend James Grant, a fellow Shriner. His eyes always seemed to light up whenever he saw me, that same wonderful smile shining, as though I was still the most valuable kid in the world. What a special blessing it was to know him.##imported-begin##Tom (Miller) Juvik##imported-end##