Obituary

Eric Lamont Jones the son of Artlester Jones and the late Marva Jones-White. Eric was born on October 15, 1957 in Springfield Ohio. He was the middle child of five Jones brothers. He was raised in the east side of Springfield and attended both Elwood Elementary and Schaefer Junior High. Eric was proud to have been a Schaefer Knight. He was a 1975 graduate of Springfield South High School. Eric was a member of the South High Wrestling team.

After graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and proudly served 8 years state side and abroad. Eric often would talk about all the snow in Maine, he enjoyed the time he spent in Florida, but the time he spent in GUAM was his favorite tour of duty.  Eric returned to Springfield in 1983 and worked at Furrows Home and Building Supplier. While working at Furrow's, he received the name of "Crash" the name on his hard hat. In 1984, Eric decided to further his education by attending Clark Technical College where his major was Human Services. While attending Clark Technical College, Eric met Rita Trumbo. In 1986, Eric and Rita graduated from Clark Tech with Associates Degree in Human Services.

In June of 1988, Eric and Rita were married. In August of that year, he received an opportunity to work with the Central State University Water Department and quickly developed a love working in the water field.

In the early 90's, Eric received a promotion to Supervisor of CSU's and Wilberforce waterresources including CSU's High Pressure Boiler Facility. In 1995 Eric, graduated suma cum laude with a Bachelor's degree in Water Resource Management.

He attended Antioch's McGregor University and earned a Master's in Business Administration in 2005. Shortly after graduation, Eric moved into the position of Director of Utilities & Maintenance with his final promotion to Director of Facilities Management. Eric remained employed at Central State University for 26 years.

In 2013, Eric decided to leave Central State and take the position of Assistant Water Director with the City of Urbana until his retirement in 2018.

Eric enjoyed playing his bass guitar, fishing, traveling, playing chess, poker, riding his motorcycle, and he was an avid "Call of Duty" gamer. Eric's biggest pastime enjoyment was his garden during the summers. He would pamper his plants during the growing season. Once harvest season came, he had a very bountiful harvest and that smile on his face was his statement "Look what I grew! Yes I did that thing!" which will always remain as precious memories...

When Eric made the decision to give his life to the Lord, he never looked back. Eric enjoyed working in the church as an usher, member of the Men's ministry, Video Ministry, Brotherhood, Playing his Bass at church, Member of the Counting Team, and his most notable position church handyman better known as "Indiana Jones".

Eric is survived by his wife of 35 years Rita (Trumbo) Jones, two sons; Rashad Lamont Jones, Omar Breaden Browning; daughter, Ranisha Lynnette Jones; favorite granddaughter, Rheyea Alexis Jones; parents, Artlester & Connie Jones Sr.;  brother, Paul Jones all of Springfield, Ohio; brother, Artlester Jones Jr., (Charlotte, North Carolina); sister, Hope Jones (Cleveland, Ohio);  paternal aunt, Denise Edwards (Toledo Ohio); maternal aunts, Diane Pooney (Dodson, Florida) and Darlene Dodson-Thomas (Middletown, Ohio).\;  sister-in-law, Paula M. Gaines (Houston Texas), special niece, Kenisha Jones (North Carolina); special nephew, Master Sargent Marcus Gaines III (Houston, Texas); cousins, John/Christy Garrett (Columbus, Ohio), cousin, (auntie) Ida Cassell (Springfield, Ohio), Diana (John) Jones-Delouch (Beavercreek Ohio), Tami Thornton (Springfield, Ohio); best friends, Curtis/Wanda Truss (Springfield, Ohio), and countless cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and friends.

Eric was preceded in death by his mother, Marva (Tobi) Jones-White, maternal grandparents, Thomas & Ruth Goldson; paternal grandparents, Paul & Helen Randall; brothers, Kevin Jones and Carl Jones, uncles, Thomas, James and David Goldston; great niece, Genesis Jones and best friend, Vaughn Moss.

Visitation is Tuesday, January 3, 2023 from 9 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. in the Church of Jesus Family Worship Center. Burial will be Wednesday, January 4, 2023 at 9 a.m. in Dayton National Cemetery with military honors.