Prof. Donald Jones (1931-2009)
Donald Gene Jones, 78, Emeritus Professor of Social Ethics at Drew University, died peacefully at Morristown Memorial Hospital on April 23, 2009.
Dr. Jones, who was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, on February 3, 1931, attended South Dakota State College before serving in the U.S. Navy from 1951 to 1955. He received a B.A. degree from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in 1957, and Master of Divinity (1961) and Ph.D. (1969) degrees from Drew University. An ordained United Methodist clergyman, he began a long teaching career at Drew in 1966 following several years in the ministry that later made him known to the public as Hillary Rodham Clinton's youth minister in Park Ridge, Illinois.
Widely recognized as one of the co-founders of the field of business ethics, Dr. Jones was active in exploring and teaching ethics in relation to medicine, business, sports, society, and religion. A beloved professor who was widely known as a productive scholar and consultant, he gained his greatest satisfaction from teaching, and his course in sports ethics was popular with athletes and non-athletes alike. He received Drew's Scholar/Teacher of the Year Award in 1995, and his many former students celebrated his inspired teaching by creating the Donald G. Jones Scholarship at Drew following his retirement in 2002. The University recognized his keen interest in, and contribution to, Drew athletics by presenting him with the Gold D award at the 2008 Hall of Fame dinner.
Dr. Jones is survived by his wife, Karen (Rudolf) Jones; two sons, David R. and Peter D.; two daughters-in-law, Monika and Marsha; and two grandchildren, Kobi and Ezra.
A memorial service will be held at the United Methodist Church, 24 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ on Saturday, May 9, at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow in Mead Hall on the Drew University campus. For more information, please call (973) 408-3020. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Donald G. Jones Scholarship, c/o Development Office, Drew University, Madison, NJ 07940. In addition, the family has created a Web site, www.drdonjones.com, to collect and share thoughts, memories, stories, and tributes to Don.
Statement from Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton:
"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my lifelong friend and mentor, Reverend Don Jones. From the time he was my Methodist youth minister in Park Ridge, Illinois, Don opened up a new world to me and helped guide me on a spiritual, social and political journey of over forty years. Don taught me the meaning of the words 'faith in action' and the importance of social justice and human rights. I will miss him and will be grateful forever for the gift of his intelligence, counsel, kindness and support over many years. My thoughts and prayers are with his beloved wife Karen, his children, the Drew University community and the many students, colleagues and friends whose lives were touched by Don."
