1928
Lawrence
2015
Lawrence Jones
November 29, 1928 — September 10, 2015
Lawrence Wayne Jones of Prairie Village, KS, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2015. Lawrence ("Larry") was born in Lawrence, KS in 1928 and grew up in Grandview, Missouri. He graduated high school in 1946, and served in the Army from 1946 to 1948, and was part of the post-WWII occupation in Japan. Larry often spoke fondly of playing trombone in the 6th Army band while stationed in Japan. He attended the University of Kansas from 1948 to 1955, graduating from the School of Architecture. Larry loved to recount memories of the many pranks committed by his Triangle fraternity brothers, always while he was innocently studying in Watson Library. While attending KU, he managed a jazz band and was a disc jockey for the campus radio station KANU, hosting an innovative jazz program. Jazz was a lifelong passion for him. After graduating college, Larry worked for a variety of architectural firms in Kansas City. In 1961, he opened his own architectural office. Later, he spent several years as a contract architect at the General Motors Fairfax plant. He was an active member of the Kansas City Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute, often serving as a committee chair leader.
While attending KU, he met and fell in love with Laura Louise Gardiner. They married in 1951 and had three children, Laura Leslie, Ferrell, and Edward. They moved to Mission, KS in 1957, where he later served on the Mission Planning Commission for 20 years, and served as president. He was also a member of the Mission Breakfast Optimists Club, joyfully selling Christmas trees in sub-zero weather, for many years. He enjoyed KU basketball, and read extensively about politics, history, and current events. He was passionate about conservative politics. He was an avid admirer of the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and William F. Buckley, Jr. Later in life, Larry found love again and married Laura Douglas in 2006. She remained at his side until his passing. He was preceded in death by his father, Forrest E. Jones, mother, Julia Ruth Kernodle Jones, brothers Morgan Jones and Edward Jones and his first wife of 35 years, Laura Louise Gardiner Jones. Above all, he was devoted to his family. He is survived by his second wife, Laura Douglas Jones, daughters Laura Leslie Jones (Dan Cady), Ferrell Hansen (Greg), and son Edward Jones, and three grandchildren, Steve Burton, Mark Hansen, and Andrew Freeman. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 2:00 pm at the Overland Park Funeral Chapel, 8201 Metcalf Avenue, with burial following at Johnson County Memorial Gardens. Visitation will precede funeral services from 1-2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Salvation Army or the American Leukemia Society. Please offer condolences at www.overlandparkchapel.com.
While attending KU, he met and fell in love with Laura Louise Gardiner. They married in 1951 and had three children, Laura Leslie, Ferrell, and Edward. They moved to Mission, KS in 1957, where he later served on the Mission Planning Commission for 20 years, and served as president. He was also a member of the Mission Breakfast Optimists Club, joyfully selling Christmas trees in sub-zero weather, for many years. He enjoyed KU basketball, and read extensively about politics, history, and current events. He was passionate about conservative politics. He was an avid admirer of the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and William F. Buckley, Jr. Later in life, Larry found love again and married Laura Douglas in 2006. She remained at his side until his passing. He was preceded in death by his father, Forrest E. Jones, mother, Julia Ruth Kernodle Jones, brothers Morgan Jones and Edward Jones and his first wife of 35 years, Laura Louise Gardiner Jones. Above all, he was devoted to his family. He is survived by his second wife, Laura Douglas Jones, daughters Laura Leslie Jones (Dan Cady), Ferrell Hansen (Greg), and son Edward Jones, and three grandchildren, Steve Burton, Mark Hansen, and Andrew Freeman. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 2:00 pm at the Overland Park Funeral Chapel, 8201 Metcalf Avenue, with burial following at Johnson County Memorial Gardens. Visitation will precede funeral services from 1-2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Salvation Army or the American Leukemia Society. Please offer condolences at www.overlandparkchapel.com.
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