Gary E. Jones 1938-2025

The eldest child of Alvey, a steel foreman, and Gladys, loving mother in Youngstown, Dr. Gary E. Jones forged his determination in the furnace of grit, duty and resilience. His upbringing instilled a lifelong commitment to education, equality and service.

Gary was a 1956 graduate of Boardman High School and a first-generation college graduate.

Gary’s early career was shaped by service – first to his country, and then to generations of students, teachers and communities. He received his B.S. in education from Youngstown State (Go Penguins!), where he joined Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and also led activities on campus.

He was then drafted into the U.S. Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis and stationed in Europe for nearly two years.

He began teaching in Ohio and Indiana before continuing his education at Indiana University (M.S. and Ed.D) and moving into administrative leadership.

He met his beloved wife of 50 years, Marilyn, in a bowling league for teachers after moving to Indiana.

His defining professional chapter was in Hammond, Indiana, where he served as principal of Gavit Junior / Senior High School, and later as assistant superintendent for the City of Hammond schools. His efforts there spanned decades and impacted over 15,000 students annually. He strengthened the curriculum, created programs for gifted and talented youth, championed advanced placement and fine arts, pioneered support of robotics and expanded professional development for staff tenfold. He chaired the School to Work Initiative and numerous district and statewide education committees.

Gary was a founding director and later director of K-12 Programs at Calumet College of St. Joseph, where he also led Camp U Can!, a summer initiative that helped truant middle school students reconnect with learning. His professional roles included teacher, principal, assistant superintendent, college director, advisor and mentor. But beyond titles, he was a champion of students — especially those whom others overlooked.

Gary lived by the belief that with support, children will rise to high expectations. He was devoted to building community through collaboration — with parents, teachers, civic leaders, and service organizations.

A lifelong PTA member since 1962, he served at every level from local to national, even editing newsletters to help parents stay informed. His service extended far beyond the classroom: he chaired over two dozen school evaluation teams, led efforts in the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts (earning the prestigious Silver Beaver Award), gave nearly 100 pints of blood to the Red Cross, was a leader in Kiwanis, served on countless civic boards and inspired a generation of leaders in northwest Indiana.

His honors include the Sagamore of the Wabash (Indiana’s highest civilian honor), Indiana PTA’s Outstanding Principal Award (first recipient), Lifetime Achievement Award. Beegley School of Education, YSU, the National PTA Lifetime Achievement Award and the Van Til Lifetime Achievement Award from the City of Hammond. Gary’s proudest initiatives included creating opportunities for all students — through scholarships, blood drives, robotics teams and citywide mentoring programs. His influence can still be felt in school systems, college programs, nonprofits, and the lives of the thousands he taught, mentored and advocated for.

Gary is survived by his sister, Kay (John) Labosky; daughter, Elizabeth (Steven) Megremis; son, Merritt (Tonya Faundeen); and grandchildren, Lillian and Ellie.

He was preceded in death by Marilyn — his partner in life and service — and his brother, Jim and Madonna Jones.

A visitation for Dr. Jones’ life and legacy will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025, with remarks at 11 a.m., at Burns-Kish Funeral Home, Munster, Indiana.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation in support of Parkinson’s disease research, or consider donating blood in Gary’s honor — a gift he gave often.

Dr. Gary E. Jones believed in lighting the path for others, and he did so with vision, heart and relentless commitment. His was a life of service — quietly powerful, deeply faithful and endlessly generous. His classroom was his community, and the world is better for it.

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