Obituary - John William Jones Sr.

JOHN WILLIAM JONES, SR., D.D.S., 83, affectionately known as “Casey,” entered eternal rest on September 29, 2025, at the age of 83.  Casey was born on February 25, 1942, in Henrico, Virginia.  He was the second of the four children of Warner Magajar Jones, Sr. and Carol Carney Jones.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 47 years, Diane Dorthea Jones, and his brothers Karl Pontiac Jones and Hiawatha Newton "Chief" Jones.  He is survived by his brother, Warner Magajar Jones Sr., his four sons, Vaughan C. Jones, John W. Jones, Jr., Sean C. Jones, Sr. and Earle S. Jones, Sr.; his daughters-in-law Audra Y.W. Jones, D.D.S. and Kendra M. Jones; six grandchildren, Kensington R. Jones, Earl S. Jones Jr., Kendall A. Jones, Casey J. Jones, William L. “Liam” Jones, and Sean C. Jones, Jr.; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.

Casey earned the nickname that followed him for life during his days as a standout baseball player, drawing comparisons to the famous poem “Casey at the Bat”.  He attended Virginia Randolph High School in Henrico, where his father was the principal, graduating in the Class of 1960.  He later enrolled at Virginia Union University, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science, graduating in the Class of 1964.  A proud Spring 1962 initiate of the Virginia Union University Chapter, the Alpha Gamma (E) of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Casey treasured his lifelong brotherhood and considered the awarding of the “White Blazer” celebrating 50 years of membership, among his greatest honors.

During his college summers, he worked in Atlantic City, where he forged lifelong friendships, and it was at Virginia Union that he met the love of his life, Diane.  Following their marriage in 1967, he enrolled at Howard University College of Dentistry in Washington, D.C. and received his Doctorate of Dentistry in 1974.  In 1976, he opened his first dental practice in Richmond and went on to care for generations of patients for over 50 years.  So much so that many would say his practice was his ministry.

Like his father before him, who guided his children with steadfast devotion, Casey shouldered the role of patriarch with quiet strength.  After Diane’s passing, he continued to lead his four sons through adulthood, anchoring their lives with the same love, discipline, and faith that had defined his own upbringing.  In addition to his devotion to his own children, his door was always open to dozens of nieces and nephews who thought of him as a second father.  Beyond his family, Casey remained deeply engaged in his profession and community, serving as a member of both the Old Dominion Dental Society and the Peter B. Ramsey Dental Society for decades. Dr. Jones leaves a lasting legacy of dedication, service, and love for his patients, fraternity, community, and, above all, his family.  He will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and dentist who never retired from the work and life he loved.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, October 9, 2025 at Garland Avenue Baptist Church, 2700 Garland Ave, Richmond, Virginia 23222. Dr. Jeffrey Smith, officiating.