Remembering the life and legacy of St. Louis educator, mentor, and leader Dr. Lawrence Jones Sr., who passed away at the age of 87.
“Knowledge is having the right answers. Intelligence is asking the right questions.” ~Unknown
February 4, 1937 — January 3, 2024
Former FDA Deputy Director for the Center of Drug Analysis
Former St. Louis University Business School Professor
St. Louis University Alumnus
Dr. Lawrence Jones Sr. was born February 4, 1937, the son of Sam W. Jones and Ella Moxley Jones in Cincinnati, OH. He departed this physical life on the morning of January 3, 2024. He was the youngest of eight children. His Christian journey began with his parents and siblings while he attended the Maple Street Christian Church in Lockland, Ohio. He was baptized in the Christian Church on Easter Sunday, 1947. His father was a Deacon and Elder, and his mother was an active member of the choir and many other church activities. His grandfather, Reverend John B. H. Jones of Sharpsburg, KY, was an ordained pastor and Bishop within the Christian Church. Lawrence graduated from South Woodlawn Elementary School in 1950 and Lockland Wayne High School in 1954, serving as the class vice president and valedictorian. He was a charter member of Wayne’s Honor Society and graduated from Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, in 1958, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in mathematics.
His high school sweetheart, Daisy Marie Joiner, attended South Woodlawn Elementary and graduated with honors from Lockland Wayne High School in 1955. She later graduated from Central State College in Wilberforce, Ohio, with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Lawrence pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. in the spring of 1956. Daisy pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in the Fall of 1958. The two later married in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 19, 1959.
Years later, they were blessed with two children: Dr. Lawrence Jones II (wife Theresa, daughter Brielle) and Lynda Jones Green (husband James, son Jaden and daughter Taylor). Daisy received a Master of Counseling from Washington University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education from St. Louis University. She was also a published author. Lawrence and Daisy lived in St. Louis for 50 years before moving to Odenton, Maryland in 2016. Their marriage of 58 years was interrupted by Daisy’s sudden departure on Tuesday morning, March 6, 2018, when the Lord called His faithful
servant home.
Upon graduation from Central State as a distinguished military student, Lawrence was commissioned a second Lieutenant in the US Army. He completed the US Army infantry school, served 11 years of active duty and active reserves, and attained the rank of captain, ending his army career as a company commander with an honorable discharge.
His work experience includes working for the Fusite Corporation, 32 years with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as he began his career as an analytical chemist and was promoted to branch chief in a National Center of Drug Analysis in 1966. During his career with the FDA, he lectured and trained with personnel in over thirty-five nations and worked with various organizations. His career with the FDA took him to assignments to Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, England, France, Puerto Rico, and Mexico.
Lawrence studied graduate chemistry at Ohio University in Athens, OH, and Georgetown University. From Saint Louis University, he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 1973 and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business with a major in Operations Research and a minor in chemistry in 1979. He also completed advanced graduate studies at Washington University and Carnegie Mellon University.
In 1992, he became a professor of decision sciences at the Saint Louis University School of Business, and he received the Faculty of Excellence Award in 2004. He supervised over thirty-five master’s degree thesis students. Dr. Jones was a member of the Royal Vagabonds of St. Louis 1990-2002. He was a faithful member of Union Memorial Church in St. Louis until relocating to Maryland where he first joined the First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Upper Marlboro, MD in March 2016 and later, the Wilson Methodist Church in Gambrills, MD.
Lawrence was blessed to have many friends, traveled the world, and genuinely loved his children and their spouses, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family. Family and friends will deeply miss him and cherish his memory.
