Amos “York” Jones, Jr. was born on Sep. 11, 1929 in Leonville to the late Argentine Pickney Jones and Amos Jones, Sr. He is the seventh child of twelve (six brothers and six sisters). Amos lived with a special aunt and uncle, Louise and Wilfred Boutte in Opelousas area before moving to DeQuincy in 1951. In 1952, Amos married Eva Mae Barker. Seven children were born to this union.
During the early 1950s, he worked constructing bridges on the Starks highway for Cook’s Construction. Later, working for Treme’s Mobil Service. He spent many years working at Richard’s Motor Company. While working for Livington Shipbuilding Company in Orange, Texas; he also sold Life and Burial Insurance for Williams Insurance Company of Opelousas. He was recognized for outstanding service from 1960-1978 by Williams Progressive Insurance Company.
In 1957, he became associated with the Civil Defense. Amos had been with the Sheriff’s Reserve for more than eleven years.
Also, he was affiliated with the Magnolia Police Officers.
In 1977, Amos started his business, Jones’ Paint & Body Shop. He had a love for cars. During this time, he was employed as a school bus driver with Calcasieu Parish School Board. He retired in 1995 as a school bus driver. He retired and closed his business in 2010. After retiring from his business and as a school bus driver, he worked as a school crossing guard until 2018. He received a Certificate of Appreciation for this tireless work as School Crossing Guard in 2001. He donated school supplies to DeQuincy Elementary School. He was a “Partner of Education” with the elementary school. He believed that children should excel in school and attend college.
Amos was recognized as a “Colonel” on the staff of Governor Edwin Edwards in 1988. He was given “Knight of the Year” by DeQuincy’s Knights of Columbus #8805 in 1990. In 1997, he received “Champion of the Cause” Award from the Louisiana NAACP. He served as treasurer for DeQuincy chapter for more than 35 years.
In 2023, Amos was named “Olympian of the Year” in the South west district Senior games. He received a medal and a plaque for the Southwest Senior games. Amos started the “DeQuincy Community ACTS Foundation” to assist DeQuincy residents. Amos was an active member of the DeQuincy’s Chamber of Commerce and the DeQuincy Rotary Club.
He leaves to cherish his memories, Yvonne Prejean (Albert) of Lafayette, Vivian Jones of Jackson, Amos Jones, III (Lois) of Humble, Texas, Michael Jones (Lynette) of Beaumont, Texas, Sylvester Jones (Allison) of Lafayette, Aaron Jones (Felicia) of DeQuincy and Joseph Jones of DeQuincy; two brothers, Henry Jones of DeQuincy, and Edmond Jones (Rose) of Opelousas; a sister, Corine Smith of Houston, Texas; a brother-in-law, Marion Barker of Dallas, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Willie Mae Barker Johnson of Port Arthur, Texas and Betty Flugence Barker of Lafayette. Also, he leaves eight grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by wife, Eva Mae Barker Jones (mother of his children), second wife, Mary Toussaint Jones, and his grandson, Reginald Spencer; his parents and eight siblings.
Visitation was held Saturday, Feb. 22, from 8 a.m. with Rosary at 11 a.m., and funeral at 12 noon, at Our Lady of LaSallette Catholic Church in DeQuincy.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the DeQuincy Community ACTS Foundation at Sabine Bank in DeQuincy.
(Paid Memorial)
