Deacon James Jones, Sr.

James K. Jones, Sr. was born on December 23, 1946, in Timmonsville, South Carolina, to the proud parents Melvin and Ruby Lee Jones. A country boy at heart, James made his way to New Brunswick, New Jersey at the age of eight, where he would spend the rest of his life planting seeds of faith, friendship, and love in the hearts of all who knew him. On February 27, 2026, the Lord called His faithful servant home.

James attended New Brunswick High School, where his larger-than-life personality and natural athleticism made him a standout. He excelled in football as a fullback and baseball as a shortstop, earning the admiration of teammates, coaches, and fans alike. He graduated in 1965 — a young man with big dreams and an even bigger heart. It was during those early years at a picnic at Mary Barnes’s house that James laid eyes on a young, radiant woman named Barbara Jean Young. From that moment forward, they were inseparable.

After graduation, James attended Hiram Scott College in Nebraska. In 1968, he answered the call of duty and was drafted into the United States Army, serving with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam. He returned home with the honor and discipline that would define his character for the rest of his life. On March 7, 1970, James and Barbara Jean were united in holy matrimony at Tabernacle Baptist Church in New Brunswick. Their union was a blessed one, and together they welcomed two sons, Ken and Korey, into the world.

A Life Given to God

Whatever James did, he did it one hundred percent. In March 1983, James surrendered his life to Christ and joined First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, New Jersey. Under the transformative leadership of Reverend C. H. Brown, James threw himself into the life of the church with the same passion and commitment he brought to everything he touched. He became a member of the C. H. Brown Gospel Chorus, Vice President of the Male Chorus, and a spiritual advisor to the Missionary Ministry, while faithfully attending Sunday School each week.

On September 15, 1985, James was ordained as a Deacon — a title he would wear with humility and honor for the next four decades. For forty years, he served his church and congregation as Deacon, Praise and Worship leader, Prayer Warrior, and spiritual leader across numerous ministries including the Wednesday Night Prayer Ministry, the Male Chorus, Men Building Men, Sunday School, and the New Members Class. Under the leadership of Pastor Soaries, and in partnership with Deacon Stephen Presley, James baptized hundreds of new members into the faith, building lasting and deeply personal relationships with each one.

James did not simply attend church — he served the church. His thunderous voice and bold spirit filled every room he entered. He had a gift for creating warmth and belonging: he gave nicknames and terms of endearment to nearly everyone in the congregation, making each person feel known, seen, and loved. He was often the very first face a new member would encounter — welcoming them to Christ, praying over them in sickness, and standing beside them in grief. He was present for all the important moments of a believer’s life.

Servant, Soldier, and Chaplain

James’s professional career was one of diligence and excellence. He worked various roles throughout his career and ultimately retired from IBM after a distinguished corporate tenure. Yet his service did not stop there. In keeping with the Great Commission — “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) — James earned his chaplaincy certification from New Brunswick Theological Seminary. For more than a decade, he served as a hospital chaplain at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, ministering to the sick, the shut-in, and the bereaved — within his own congregation and throughout the broader community.

Even in his own seasons of illness and difficulty, James remained a soldier for the Lord. He stood on the promises of God with unwavering faith, offering comfort to others while quietly bearing his own burdens with grace. He taught his congregation, through both word and example, what it truly means to live out Matthew 25:35–36: to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, and visit the sick. He was, in every sense of the word, a faithful servant.

The Man Behind the Ministry

Faith. Family. Fun. Food.

Beyond his ministry, James was a man who loved life and loved his people — fully and without reservation. He cheered on his Dallas Cowboys, hosted legendary backyard barbecues, showed up for his sons' games with the same energy he brought to Sunday worship, and had a gift for turning an ordinary afternoon into a full family gathering. He loved soul music, the Temptations, shows, and movies, and in his later years enjoyed couples' getaways to Aruba with the Presley family and beloved church members — because even on vacation, the fellowship never stopped. You always knew where you stood with James. He would tell you exactly what was on his mind, not out of harshness, but out of love and respect.

His spiritual discipline was the bedrock of it all. Each morning, James returned to the Lord through Scripture, prayer, and hymns — a sacred routine he never compromised, and the very thing that carried him through life's hardest seasons. He didn't just know about God; he spent time with God, and it showed in everything he did. Psalm 91 was his daily anchor, and when the choir lifted their voices in "Oh, How I Love Jesus," you could be certain James was singing the loudest.

Those He Leaves Behind

James K. Jones was predeceased by his siblings Sherman Jones, Charles Jones, Pearl Jones, Jennell Mashack, and Furnie Jones. He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife of 56 years, Barbara Jean Young Jones of Kendall Park, NJ; two sons, Ken Jones of Kendall Park and Korey Jones (Jackie) of Kendall Park; granddaughter, Kayla; Sister-in-laws, Kathrine Jones of Newark, NJ, Susie Dale of Dayton, NJ, Shirley Scott of Somerset, NJ, Patty Young of Dayton, NJ; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews; and congregation and community that called him family.