TO THE CHAPTER INVISIBLE
Melvin G. Jones 1943-2022 Corporate Purchasing Professional
M elvin G. Jones (Alpha Upsilon 1964) entered the Chapter Invisible on May 31, 2022, at age 79. He was born on April 17, 1943, to the late Louise Jones of McKenzie, TN. He moved to Detroit with his mother when he was young. Jones graduated from Detroit’s Northeastern High School, where he was an accomplished student and received athletic recogni- tion. He earned three letters in football, three in baseball, and one in basketball. He was appointed All-City by the Detroit Coaches Asso- ciation, named Best Athlete of his high school team, and Mr. School Spirit. Other high school highlights included making All-City in football and pitching a no-hitter in baseball. After high school, Jones attended Kentucky State University in 1962 and excelled athletically and continued academic excellence (Dean’s List Honor Roll). He played varsity football at KSU
“HE WAS A FOUR-YEAR LETTER WINNER, MADE ALL-MIDWEST CONFERENCE AS A DEFENSIVE TACKLE IN 1964 AND 1965, AND WAS THE DEFENSIVE TEAM CAPTAIN IN 1965.”
spanned four years, from 1962-1965. He was a four- year letter winner, made All-Midwest Conference as a defensive tackle in 1964 and 1965, and was the Defensive Team Captain in 1965. He was named an Honorable Mention Small College All-American in 1965. Additionally, he was a two-year letter winner for baseball. In 2006, Jones was inducted into the KSU Athletic Hall of Fame and was an active member of the K-Club. After graduation from KSU, Jones moved to Lou- isville to work for General Electric (GE) Company, and retired as Senior Contracting Agent after 32 years of service. While at GE, Jones completed the GE Professional Purchasing Program and received an M.A. in Management from Webster University. He also earned Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) and the Accredited Purchasing Practitioner (APP) desig- nation from the National Association of Purchasing
Management, Inc. and was a Green Belt in Six Sigma. Based on his outstanding career accomplishments, Jones was named a YMCA Adult Black Achiever in 1985 and was honored with eight GE Corporate Extra Steps Awards. His community involvement encompassed several GE organizations, i.e., he served on the GEA Image Board, was a board member of the GEA Employee Community Fund (ECF), and served as the Purchasing Trustee on the Quarter Century Club Board. He was also the Small Business Coordinator for the Supplier Diversity
Team. Jones was the team leader for the GE Corporate Game Sponsorship for eight years. In addition, he served on the board of the Ken- tuckian Minority Supplier Development Council (KMSD). Brother Melvin G. Jones is survived by his wife of 55 years, Bernice; daughters, Anita Thomas; Sheila Calloway (Paul, Jr.); Grandchildren, Paul Calloway, III, Benjamin, and Bethany Thomas; Siblings, Ike Gilbert, Jr. (Jane); Sleita Gilbert; and Nellie Gilbert; two sisters-in-law, Anna Downey and Frances Lawson. ♦
68 THE JOURNAL ♦ WINTER 2024-2025
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