Lloyd Martin Jones
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* Memorial service for L. Martin Jones will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August, 12, 2017 at Presbyterian Manor in Lawrence. *
A memorial service will be held at a later date for L. Martin Jones, 94, Lawrence, KS, who died April 3, 2017 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. He donated his body to KU Medical Center, Department of Anatomy.
Lloyd Martin Jones was born December 2, 1922, in Osage City, KS, the son of Annabelle (Martin) and Lloyd Jones. He graduated from Osage City High School in 1940 and enrolled at the University of Kansas. His college education was interrupted for three years of military service during World War II. Martin served in the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant Infantry Platoon Leader. He was captured by German troops in the Battle of the Bulge on December 19, 1944, and was a prisoner of war until May 2, 1945. During those 5 months, Martin survived two prisoner of war camps, forced marches, Allied air raids, and a starvation diet.
Martin and Phyllis M. Grigsby married in Osage City on December 28, 1945.
Martin continued his college education at KU, and received a Bachelor of Science in Business degree in 1946 and a Master of Business Administration degree in 1947. He was a student member of Alpha Kappa Psi, professional business fraternity, and Beta Gamma Sigma, honorary business fraternity. Martin then became employed by the university, where he taught accounting and worked in administration for forty years, retiring in December, 1986, as Director of Business and Fiscal Affairs for the University of Kansas, Lawrence campus.
As a member of First United Methodist Church of Lawrence for 70 years, Martin volunteered for more than 55 years, including as chairman of the Administration Board, treasurer of the Board of Trustees, treasurer of a building fund campaign, and usher.
Martin did volunteer work for many local organizations. He served as treasurer of Lawrence United Fund, Lawrence Meals on Wheels, and The Swarthout Society (predecessor of The Lied Center of Kansas), and treasurer and president of Douglas County Warm Hearts. He served on the Investment Committee of Douglas County Community Mental Health Center. Martin was a volunteer worker for the KU Athletics Department for 57 years, serving as the announcers’ statistician for men’s basketball and football home games. As an active member of Lawrence Kiwanis Club for more than forty years, he served as the club’s treasurer and president and as Lieutenant Governor of the Kansas District of Kiwanis International. In 1991, he received the club’s Substantial Citizen Award. He was one of the organizers and the first president of Kaw Valley Bluebird Association and co-manager of the bluebird restoration program at Clinton State Park for more than twenty years. In 1994, Martin and Phyllis moved to Lawrence Presbyterian Manor, where Martin served on several committees, including two years as president of the Resident Council.
In May, 2007, Martin was presented the CornerBank’s Cornerstone Award for his many years of volunteer service in Lawrence.
Martin enjoyed his family, music, KU sports, travel, photography, and bridge.
Martin is survived by Kevin L. and Linda K. Jones, son and daughter-in-law, Kyra and Jonathan C. (Caleb) Butner, granddaughter and grandson-in-law, and Isla Jones, granddaughter. Other survivors include Harold D. and Margaret E. Jones, brother and sister-in-law, and Rose Marie Christian and Howard Jones, cousins. Also surviving is Lynette Eastwold, niece with whom Martin shared the same birthdate though in different years, and three nephews, Bruce, Mark, and Steven.
Martin was preceded in death by Phyllis, who died in 2009. They had been married one and one half month shy of 64 years. Warren R. and Margaret Jones, brother and sister-in-law, and Colleen Wilson, cousin, also preceded Martin in death.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Good Samaritan Fund of Lawrence Presbyterian Manor, First United Methodist Church of Lawrence, or an organization of the donor’s choice, sent in care of the Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 West 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
I am so very sorry to hear of Mr. Jones’ death. I worked with him at KU for many of his administrative years. He and Phyllis were dear people and will always hold a special place in my heart. Many of his colleagues and friends, as well as strangers, were recipients of his kind, caring and generous heart. He will be missed.
God Bless you, Martin. Thank you for sharing with me your ordeal and experiences in World War II, which I was able to publish in my history magazine and in my book on the Battle of the Bulge so that your WWII experience has now been shared with thousands of readers — you are a real hero and I’m proud to have been your friend.
May you rest in eternal peace with Phyllis who I also had the privilege of meeting when you both so graciously hosted me.
I want Martin’s family to know that he is remembered and respected by many of us who knew him mainly through our friendship with Phyllis. Martin is also the brother of Harold Jones who is married to my dear friend Margaret. Martin’s life is an example of duty, honor, country and of love and friendship.
Martin was a wonderful colleague at KU. We will remember him for his quiet, professional approach to all of our budgetary problems. Never was there a more helpful man with great class. When he walked in the door, we knew he would have solutions and alternatives. Who knew that he was a war hero? Some of us did but he never discussed his soldier’s life. He was very engaged in this community and always ready to lend a hand. He was a great example of the Greatest Generation.
Thank you for your service, Mr. Jones. You will never be forgotten here in Belgium, the country you helped safeguard during the Battle of the Bulge. With our everlasting gratitude, may you find rest reunited with your wife.
I’m most sorry to been unable to attend Martin’s services. I thought of him as one of my best undergraduate professors, and of course a great person.
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