The Madison community is in mourning as it remembers its beloved pastor, mentor, coach, public defender, fraternity brother, and community leader, Rev. Richard Jones Sr., who passed away on Nov. 16 at the age of 61. Rev. Jones, who spent almost a decade serving as the senior pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Madison’s largest Black church, was well-known in Madison for his generosity, kindness, and compassion.
Pastor Jones left an indelible mark on the church and the Madison community, says Dr. Rev. Marcus Allen, the current senior pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
“His leadership was marked by unwavering dedication and a passion for advocacy, especially for those unable to speak for themselves. Under his guidance, Mt. Zion moved into their new sanctuary and celebrated its historic 100th anniversary, a testament to his commitment to honoring the church’s legacy while propelling it into the future,” Allen tells Madison365. “Rev. Jones was not only a spiritual leader but a pillar of strength for many, embodying the essence of servant leadership in every aspect of his ministry.
“On a personal note, Rev. Jones’ passing has deeply affected my family and the Mt. Zion church family. As my daughter’s father-in-law, his life and legacy hold a special place in our hearts,” Allen continues. “I am grateful for the respect and encouragement he extended to me as the current pastor of Mt. Zion, always treating me with dignity and honoring my leadership. Though his time with us has ended, his legacy of faith, compassion, and advocacy will forever inspire many. May we continue to build upon the foundation he so faithfully laid and honor his memory.”
At the time of his passing, Jones served in the Madison Trial Office of the Wisconsin Public Defender’s Office, where he was assigned to handle major crimes throughout the state. He previously served as a public defender in Milwaukee, Racine, and Rock Counties. Jones was always heavily involved with his community in one way or another, especially in Madison.
Michael Johnson, president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County, tells Madison365 that Rev. Jones was not only a devoted member of his board of directors but also an instrumental figure on the BGCDC program committee.
“His unwavering passion for coaching and his deep commitment to his fraternity was seen in every endeavor he undertook,” Johnson tells Madison365. “Whether he was guiding individuals on their personal journeys of growth or inspiring young professionals on our executive team, his influence was undeniable.
“As an accomplished lawyer, Rev. Jones seamlessly blended his legal expertise with a heartfelt desire to uplift those around him, creating a positive ripple effect throughout many lives. His contributions were characterized by profound wisdom and endless encouragement, leaving an indelible mark throughout Dane County,” Johnson adds. “The legacy he built will continue to resonate, inspiring future generations to follow in his footsteps. May he rest in peace.”
Jones grew up in Racine, Wis., attending Racine Public Schools and earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics and management from Beloit College, where he played basketball, a JD [Juris Doctor] from Marquette University Law School and a Master of Divinity from Northern Seminary.
Jones left a lasting impression on Jamaal Eubanks, the founder of a variety of community organizations including Eubanks Solutions, Fuel or Crutch, and Pivotal Transition, a mentorship organization serving youth aged 8 to 19 looking to uplift Black young people and their families,
“Pastor Jones had a way with words; he was very gifted. He is the one who led me back to church. The reason Eubanks Solutions is associated with an eagle, which I don’t talk much about, is because of a sermon when Pastor Jones talked about life and he talked about how eagles fly best when all hell breaks loose,” Eubanks tells Madison365. “It connected with me because of all the things I had been going through and had been preaching FuelOrCrutch and it was perfect. His timing for our conversations was perfect! I’m definitely going to miss our random conversations.”
(Photo courtesy of Gloria Ladson-Billings)
Gloria Ladson-Billings, the former Kellner Family Distinguished Chair in Urban Education with the School of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction and a longtime member of Mt. Zion Church, tells Madison365 that she knew Pastor Jones for 20 years… since 2004, when he first started at Mt. Zion.
“Almost everyone would describe Rev. Rick Jones as their best friend,” Ladson-Billings tells Madison365. “That’s because he always made you feel like that. In all of his endeavors — ministry, law, coaching, and fraternity life (Omega Psi Phi) — you could see his zeal and passion. I will miss his big heart, big personality, and big laugh. It’s hard to imagine the community without him.”
Rev. Jones had a deep commitment to the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated and his love for the fraternity allowed him to serve it as its Basileus in the local Gamma Gamma Gamma chapter and district counselor for the” Talented 10th District” which serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Jones was a regular presence at the fraternity’s “Bowl-A-Thon,” Thanksgiving turkey giveaway, and Achievement Week activities. A proud moment for Rev. Jones was seeing his son, Richard, Jr., initiated into the fraternity as an undergraduate.
Ebrahim Amara II, a member of the Gamma Gamma Gamma chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, tells Madison365 that he was privileged enough to have known Pastor Jones since he was 9 years old.
“He was my AAU [Amateur Athletic Union] basketball coach and then became so much more. As I reflected this week, no matter how the distance or time away, Rick always seemed to make an appearance in every stage of my life,” Amara says. In addition to full-time lawyering and frequent preaching, Rev. Jones co-founded “Wisconsin Triple Threat,” a basketball and mentoring program that focuses on academics, athletics, and achievement. “From my time as a young student-athlete to my high school graduation to college graduate and young professional. I’ve battled many personal setbacks but each and every time he stood as my backbone with humility and dignity.
“Rick had a budding interest in young people and his wisdom and perception far exceeded many of our everyday eyes and expectations. His soul was unconquerable — he was fearless, courageous and just,” Amara adds. “If it weren’t for him, many Omega men, including myself, would not be where we are today. The debt we owe to him and his family cannot be repaid in any materialistic manner but we pledge to pay it forward.”
Sean T. Long, the 38th Tenth District representative for Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., paid tribute to Rev. Jones on social media.
“Bro. Jones was a man of immense integrity and remarkable versatility. As a lawyer, he was a champion for justice, using his knowledge and skills to Uplift those who needed a voice. As a minister, he possessed the extraordinary ability to deliver the Word with conviction, compassion, and clarity, offering spiritual guidance at a moment’s notice,” Long says. “We often joked that he was going to run for District Chaplain next. Whether standing in the courtroom or behind the pulpit, Bro. Jones carried himself with dignity and purpose.
“Beyond his impressive professional accomplishments, Brother Jones was, above all, a devoted family man. He embodied the roles of a loving husband, nurturing father, caring son, outstanding coach, and loyal friend. To me, he represented reason and balance in all matters related to Omega Psi Phi. For those closest to him, Bro. Richard Jones was a constant source of encouragement and strength.”
(Photo: Kaleem Caire)
Kaleem Caire, founder and CEO of One City Schools and a lifelong Madison southsider, says that every time he saw Pastor Jones, he would offer him encouraging words and shared scriptures and lessons from the Bible that “hit the right notes at the right time for me.”
“I will always be grateful for the role he played in bringing me back home from Washington, D.C. in 2010 to lead the Urban League of Greater Madison where he was one of the 13 board members who voted to hire me,” Caire tells Madison365. “He was a man of great insight and wisdom, and had a tremendous passion for investing his time and talents in developing and molding young people while also supporting other leaders around him.
“I will also never forget him giving me the honor of being the first person he had ever given the opportunity to speak to his church congregation from his pulpit during what should have been his sermon,” Caire adds. “Pastor Jones was deeply involved in the development of, and advocacy for, Madison Preparatory Academy, a set of single-gendered charter schools we were hoping to establish for young men and women in Madison in 2011. He invited me to speak to the congregation about the school, about education issues facing children in our community, and to appeal to his congregation for their help and support. He follows up my talk with a direct appeal to his congregation to get involved and not let me ‘carry this cross on [my] own.'”
Caire adds that this was “extra special” to him given the tremendous and historic role Mount Zion Baptist Church played in advancing the cause of racial justice, unity, and equity in Madison.
“Pastor Jones’s last words to me when we saw each other in Denver last month were to encourage me to keep moving forward and not give up. He told me I was ‘anointed by God’ to do this work for children and that ‘God chose [me] for this work because I had the strength, drive, stamina, and conviction to stay the course and complete the mission.’ I wrote that down after he said it; he always had great insights to share,” Caire says.
“Rest in peace and love, brother. Pastor Richard Jones, Sr.: God bless your beautiful spirit and your beautiful family.”
According to his obituary, Jones is survived by his wife, Angela, son, Richard Jr. (Alexandrea Cordell Jones), daughter, Danielle, granddaughters Layla, Alayna and Lily Grace, his mother, Frankie Mae, sister Monica, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of other family and friends.
The funeral for Rev. Richard L. Jones Sr. will be held on Saturday, Nov. 30, at High Point Church, 7702 Old Sauk Rd. on Madison’s West Side. Visitation will take place from 10 a.m.-noon, and the Omega service will take place at noon followed by the funeral service at 1 p.m.
