Deacon Jones with Matthew McWhorter.

REMEMBERING WYATT LAFAYETTE JONES, JR.

JONATHAN CLARK ‘97 (A member of Loyola’s "basement boys"—the first class who helped found the school in the ground level of the former St. Francis Home for Boys—and currently the Assistant Director of LWEP.)

"Deacon Jones always impressed on us this message: find out what God has in mind for you. Don’t just hang around doing nothing for others. He instilled in us the desire to help others. If you were out of line, he didn’t hesitate to do something about it. Let’s just say you thought twice before getting out of line again. He filled the void in a lot of our lives, even for me, and I was blessed to have both of my parents at home. Deacon Wyatt kept pushing us. If it weren’t for him, a lot of us guys wouldn’t have made it through high school. Over and over, he kept reminding us that we could do it."

ANN REILLY (Assistant to the President and unofficial "mom" of the school who has worked at Loyola since 1995.)

"Empowering people. That’s what I remember most about Deacon Jones. He always worked hard to get things going and to help people take matters into their own hands. Then, without calling any attention to himself, without seeking any glory, he would quietly move on to the next challenge, knowing that what he had helped start would be just fine. You’ve heard the phrase, ‘Give a man a fish and he eats for a day; teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime.’ That was Wyatt."

VERNON BEARD (Computer teacher and technology coordinator at Loyola from 1999-2006, now teaching in Phoenix, Arizona)

"I looked up the definition of ‘relationship’ in my dictionary. It is ‘a particular type of connection between people related to or having dealings with each other.’ Deacon Jones told me once that the most important aspect of dealing with our students was not who could yell the loudest or even who could teach the best, but who could develop relationships with our young men. I have never met a man who was any better at naturally developing relationships with students and staff. His connection with everyone is something we should all strive for."

CORNELIUS BURTON ‘98 (JV Football Coach at Loyola High School)

"Mr. Jones was one of the most influential people I have ever known. He had an uncanny ability to command your attention when he spoke and demand your respect when he entered the room. He didn’t do this by intimidation or fear, but with the level of care and concern that was obvious when he spoke to you. Next to my son being born, I always say that Loyola was the best thing that ever happened to me, and I know Loyola would not be what it is and has been to so many men and young men if we had not all been blessed with the opportunity to have known ‘Papa Jones.’ He was truly a man of great integrity, vigor, compassion, and accomplishment. I am so grateful that the Lord saw fit to grant me the privilege of knowing Mr. Jones. I will do my best to keep his spirit alive in me and share that with those I interact with throughout the rest of my life."

CARL HALE II (Attended Loyola for two and a half years before transferring to Oak Park High School)

"I used to clown around a lot—just like a lot of other guys. He would always pull us aside and talk to us. He always told us to get an education. Stay in school. He always told us it’s especially important for young, black males to stay in school. I didn’t understand his point at the time, but I do now. To this day I still think about what he told us. Next year I’ll finish my degree at Oakland Community College in Liberal Arts, Theater, and Broadcasting. Dean Jones inspired me to always strive for success."

OMAR MORTON ‘97 (With Jonathon Clark, a member of Loyola’s first class)

"God puts certain people in our lives for a reason. It’s up to us, however, whether they remain and become fixtures in our lives. Looking back, I’m glad that I chose to receive an education at Loyola—and I didn’t feel that way at first—because of the many people who became a part of my life. Wyatt L. Jones was one of the individuals I had the honor of welcoming into my life. His love for God and his passion for education won him the respect of everyone at Loyola, even those who were only in his presence momentarily. He was a positive role model, a leader, a father. While we can no longer give him a call or drop by to say hello, Deacon Wyatt’s legacy will never die. He is forever in our hearts and minds. I will miss you, St. Wyatt L. Jones. May God rest and keep your soul!"

IKE HARRISON ‘01 (One of three Harrison brothers who attended Loyola)

Deacon Jones was always like a father to me, especially when my own father passed. He always loved me and looked after me as if he were my father, and I always looked to him for advice. The thing about him was that he talked to you, not at you the way so many people do. He always listened to what you had to say before he’d jump in. He could always get to you just by talking to you. He always nudged me forward. When I’d mess up in something, he’d always tell me, ‘I know you’re better than this.’ And he never sounded negative when he’d tell me this."

DAPHNE LEE (Parent of Jason Simmons ‘99)

"Even as an administrator, he had a very nurturing side. I’ll be forever grateful that he never gave up on my son, Jason, and I can see Deacon’s influence on him. Jason and I visited Deacon Jones about a month ago, and he gave Jason a cane, which he will always cherish. At the cemetery it was so moving seeing all those young men he influenced. These guys have really bonded together. Jason keeps the prayer card from his funeral in his car."

FR. KEN STYLES, S.J. (Helped plan Loyola High School and served as its first principal; currently teaching at St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland)

Those of us who were in on the planning of Loyola Academy, as it was called for the first several years, knew we were taking on a difficult challenge. It’s a good thing we didn’t fully realize ahead of time the challenges we would face, or we might not have gone ahead in the first place! But Wyatt was so charismatic, so talented, so spiritual. With him as our first Dean of Students, I was confident that things would be all right. His unique presence lent instant credibility to people in the community. I had a sense then, and am absolutely certain now, that Loyola could never have taken root the way it has without Wyatt’s commitment, vision, and perseverance."

DeLISA JONES (Principal of Loyola since 2005 and longtime friend of Deacon Jones)

"I always called him Deacon, but he was also big brother, dad, friend, teacher, counselor, and mentor. He was charismatic, generous, no-nonsense (most of the time), and a true advocate for our youth. I particularly enjoyed watching him interact with our young men. We all felt safe and loved in his presence. He modeled patience, compassion, and intelligence—all things we aim to produce in our graduates.

Truly Deacon Jones walked the walk. He arrived early, typically before 6:00 a.m., and stayed late. At faculty meetings he often reminded us of our mission, especially when we’d get stuck talking about the challenges of teaching at Loyola. He could balance supporting teachers’ needs and students’ needs. At Morning Prayer, he would fill the room with drama or soften your heart with a song about God’s goodness and blessings. He had a magical personality that drew us in, and once he had your attention—watch out! I will miss him. I learned a lot from him. I loved him, and he loved us all. His work serves as an example of how a servant of God can best serve his people in a variety of capacities."

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