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Larry Jones’ passions helped many

“Who needs our help the most?”

That seemed to be the mantra by which Larry Jones lived. Jones’ idea of help could mean rolling up his sleeves and taking the lead on a committee project, sharing his lifelong experiences with a classroom of college business students, or supporting his community through a financial gift to promote his love of music through Chamber Music at the Barn.

Jones led by example for 76 years until his death this past November. He had a remarkable career, including roles as a faculty member at Wichita State University, president and CEO of the Coleman Co., and director of Several corporations including Cessna, Bank IV and Union Pacific. His family and his causes that were near and dear to his heart.

Jones was married to Anita for more than 50 years. They graduated from the University of Wichita, then began their married life together. They had four children and six grandchildren.

Not only was Larry a thoughtful leader in the community, he also was a nurturing mentor at home. He shared his personal and professional skills by giving his children the necessary tools and then letting them find their own way to make their successes and their mistakes.

One son, Randy, a WSU student and accomplished actor, died of complications from AIDS. But the Joneses turned that tragedy into an opportunity when they established the Randal M. Jones Endowed Scholarship in the College of Fine Arts, School of Performing Arts. Later, they established the Larry Jones and Anita Jones AIDS Awareness Fellowship. Larry and Anita co-chaired the committee that brought the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt to Wichita.

His support of WSU faculty was demonstrated by his establishment of two fellowships in 2005 for professors in the W. Frank Barton School of Business. When the gift was announced, Jones was quoted as saying, “In the School of Business, obtaining and maintaining (faculty) is very difficult right now. That motivated my choice of where I wanted my monies to go.”

There also is a fellowship in the College of Fine Arts established in Anita Jones’ name.

Jones was on the WSU Foundation’s National Advisory Council for many years serving on the investment committee.

“Larry knew he was not just stewarding funds as a portfolio, but as gifts from thousands and thousands of people who love WSU,” said Elizabeth King, president and CEO of the Foundation. “He made it personal.”

His time, energy and expertise did not go unnoticed. He received the WSU Alumni Association’s Achievement Award, and both Joneses received the Fairmount Founders’ Award from the WSU Foundation and the Community Service Award from the Salvation Army.

Recently, the Association of Fundraising Professsionals’ Outstanding Philanthropist Award was given to Anita and Larry Jones posthumously. They were nominated by Sharon Miles, the WSU Foundation’s senior development director for the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Miles said, “Larry and Anita gave of themselves in every way to help make our community a better place to live.”