James “Jim” Matthew Jones, age 50, passed from this earth to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 6, 2022.
Jim lived a full and impactful life during this short time here on earth. Jim was born in Wilmington, Delaware on July 4, 1971 to Anita Jones Persson and James Robert Jones. Jim was loved as a child by a large family filled with brothers and sisters.
Jim grew up attending church at Faith Presbyterian Church and school at Wilmington Christian School in Wilmington, Delaware. As a child and teen, Jim always worked hard and loved playing soccer. After high school, Jim attended Penn State University where he achieved his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. At Penn State, Jim was a member of the Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity. Later, Jim furthered his education at Wilmington University and achieved his Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
During Jim’s career, he gained an extensive range of knowledge through his experiences in financial services, real estate, government, non-profits and entrepreneurial start-ups. Most notably, Jim worked at MBNA for decades, served as the Director of Finance for the City of Wilmington, and ended his life as a very successful Real Estate agent. In every organization where Jim worked, Jim was always a capable and innovative leader.
Jim was a wonderful family man. As an adult, Jim married and had three sons. Jim faithfully took his family to church and always prayed with his wife and sons. Jim served as a coach for all three of his sons’ soccer teams when they were young children, and he enjoyed watching a good football game with his three boys as they grew older. You could find Jim watching most of the Eagles and Penn State games on weekends. Jim could talk about sports and politics with anyone he came across. Jim loved talking, taking long walks and dancing with his wife. Jim was loved more than he knew.
Jim was known by family, friends and acquaintances for taking time to pray with and for them. Jim would pray with his wife and business colleagues daily. He was bold and passionate about sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Jim was an avid fisherman. Jim always looked forward to his summer trip to Star Lake, New York, a peaceful place his parents had discovered on their honeymoon. Jim always reminisced over fishing with his father at Star Lake as a child, and he carried on this tradition with his family. Each year, Jim would make a special effort to spend time with his wife and three sons fishing and enjoying the quiet, still beauty of Star Lake.
Jim and his wife and children attended Brandywine Valley Baptist Church for over a decade. At BVBC, Jim served in the Awana’s program, and he was involved in prayer groups on Wednesday nights. Prior to his passing, Jim and his family attended Sycamore Hill Church for several years.
Jim was known for his community involvement and initiatives designed to support mission-based organizations. Jim partnered with Canaan Baptist Church and Eastside Charter School in the City of Wilmington and designed a free spiritual-based missions sports camp program geared to inner city youth. Jim also volunteered and supported the Sunday Breakfast Mission, Kids with Cancer and the Ronald McDonald House over the course of his life.
Jim is survived by his wife of 14 years, Amy Jones, and his sons, Jackson Jones, James Robert Jones, and Aidan Jones. Jim is also survived by his mother, Anita Jones Persson and his siblings, Bob Jones and Mark Jones of Wilmington DE, Carol Evans of Wilmington DE, Kathryn Evans of Clifton PA and Janet Scott of Carlisle PA, and Karen Holmes of Star Lake NY. Jim was preceded in death by his father, James Robert Jones.
Due to the Covid Pandemic, Jim’s viewing and graveside service were held privately for family on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
A public Memorial Celebration of Jim’s life will be held for family and friends at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at Sycamore Hill Church in Hockessin Delaware (505 School House Road, Hockessin, DE 19707).
Memorial Contributions: Jim’s family would love if you consider making a Memorial Gift donation to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (www.billygraham.org/give/give-online/).
