James Jones (1947 – 2006)

James B. Jones, age 58 a resident of Kenosha, died Sunday April 23, 2006 at Hospice House in Pleasant Prairie.

Born on September 3, 1947 in West Virginia, he was the son of the late Letcher Blair and Mary Magdalene (Knuckles) Jones. He was educated in the schools of West Virginia and received his GED from Gateway Technical College. He served in the US Army from September 16, 1966 to February 10, 1968. He came to Wisconsin after his tour of duty.

On April 28, 1973 he married Debra Vaughan at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Kenosha. They would later divorce.

He was employed for 25 years at KHDS as a crisis counselor. Prior to that, he was employed at North Chicago Veterans Hospital as a drug and alcohol counselor. He was a certified criminal justice specialist, a master addictions counselor, a certified chemical dependency counselor, and a domestic violence counselor.

He loved playing poker with friends and family. He liked fishing and camping. He enjoyed playing the slots at casinos. He was known by friends and family as a good listener, and would often share his ?faith based? philosophy on life. He treasured his family, and was especially proud of his two granddaughters, ?moonbeam?, and sunshine.

He is survived by his former wife; Debra Jones of Kenosha; one son, James L.B. (DeChantel Kosmatka-Jones) Jones of Kenosha; two daughters, Jennifer J. (Kevin) Erb and Lisa M. (Stephen) Ruppa, both of Kenosha; two grandchildren Olivia and Emily Erb; and one sister Carole Jean Fenn of Mesa Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters Patricia and Phyllis.

A committal service will be held on Friday April 28, 2006 at 1:30PM at Southern WI Veterans Cemetery in Union Grove, WI. A gathering of friends and family will take place at the Kenosha Human Development Services conference room at 5407-8th Avenue from 4:00PM until 8:00PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to the Flight Ambulance Fund.