Obituary for Judge "Fuzzy" Jones
THE LIFE AND TIMES OF JUDGE ‘FUZZY’ JONES
August 28, 1954…
Mr. Judge Jones, affectionately called Fuzzy, was born August 28, 1954 in Yazoo City, Mississippi to the union of Bilbo and Betty Jean Jones as the second of seven siblings.
‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’
Fuzzy was a curious young boy who cherished his upbringing and honored his family. He spoke highly of the values, morals, and work ethic instilled into him by his parents and grandmothers Minnie Harrington and Adola Jones. His southern roots would lay the foundation for the meaning of family, fellowship, spirituality, and his palate – which often hit you with requests for Italian beef and combination delivery from Chicago.
No greater pride hath a man than that of Judge Jones when he spoke of Mississippi, the place of his origins. Whether describing how to pick cotton or hog slaughtering season, he recanted every detail whether you wanted to hear it or not.
‘Sweet Home Chicago’
When the Joneses relocated to Chicago from Jackson, Mississippi in 1964, Fuzzy would complete primary and middle school and thereafter enroll into Austin High School on the city’s west side. He would earn his place in the Jones family business at Herb’s Barber Shop & Betty’s Boutique as a skilled barber where he groomed and talked shop with clients who became family. He married and became a girl dad of two girls, Candace and his twin Tiffani.
‘For the love of the game.’
Fuzzy’s early interest in athletics made him an avid and winning player from hockey to basketball to bowling. Although of short height and stature, he commanded the respect of many taller and bigger players throughout the City of Chicago Public School System due to his nimble ball handling and fluid movements on the court. He helped bring the 1972 and ‘73, Austin H.S. Men’s Basketball Team notoriety when their team advanced to the State playoffs. The Jones home was peppered with his many trophies and athletic commendations.
Among his older children’s fondest memories are Fuzzy picking them up from the school gym, summoning a basketball from a boy, and creating a spectacle by seamlessly spinning the ball on his fingers while children gathered around in awe (this would give his girls advance credit for when the dad jokes followed).
Fuzzy exemplified sportsmanship and his love of the game was unmatched. Whether it was the Bulls, the Bears, or the Cubs, he was especially loyal to Chicago’s teams and passionately collected memorabilia to commemorate his pride for the city.
“You can take the boy out of Chicago but you can’t take the Chicago out of the boy.”
To know Fuzzy is to know he was a homeboy: he represented Chicago by way of Mississippi — it will forever be part of his identity.
After 29 years as Chicago’s very own, Fuzzy was inspired by new horizons and joined his sister Lora in the mid-Atlantic region, making his first stop Virginia in 1993. He earned certification for telecom wiring and entered the industry thereafter. Life was good and it got better a few summers later when he became a father to his first son and his prince Alexander, followed by a bouncing, bright-eyed baby girl Dominga Jade who would complete his next generation.
He later relocated to Baltimore, MD and in April 2014 and married the beautiful Janetta who loved her “Jeorg”, as she affectionately called him, beyond the test of time.
He was simply Judge at the many institutions that were graced with his presence and work ethic. It was most recent at Hertz Rental Car in Baltimore where he brightened his colleagues’ days, socialized, and renewed his purpose with every shift.
“I love, I love, I love, I love, I love music…”
A little bit country. A little bit rock and roll. But he was all soul. Homegrown full of down home blues and kept it funky from the likes of Zapp & Roger to Queen and everything in between. He knew B-sides and music you can’t find save for random clips. He inspires his daughter Candace AKA DJ CJ with every set. Fuzzy created a disco in his car, at the grill, and cued a line dance on a whim.
“Gather every man, gather every woman
Celebrate your lives, give thanks for your children
Gather everyone, gather all together
Overlooking none, hopin' life gets better for the world…”
“Harvest for the World” by The Isley Brothers
Fuzzy never met a stranger. He was a beacon who lit up every room he entered. His zeal made him the life of the party. He made your phone ring, frequently. He prompted you to smile, sometimes while shaking your head, but always with a smile.
A mentor in his own right, he was compassion personified. He was somebody to everybody and imparted gems and guidance onto whoever sought it, and rarely said no. Fuzzy loved hard and took great pride in showing up for anyone who called on him.
… - December 14, 2021
Over and over you can be sure
There will be sorrow but you will endure
Where there's a flower, there's the sun and the rain
Oh, but it's wonderful, they're both one in the same
“Joy and Pain” by Frankie Beverly and Maze
Fuzzy transitioned on December 14, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. A devout Christian, he eternally joins God and Jesus Christ and leaves this earthly plane with love to his devoted wife of 8½ years Janetta Jones; his parents Betty and Bilbo Jones; his pride and joy, his four children from (from previous unions) Candace (Alfred), Tiffani (Terrell), Alexander, and Dominga Jones; three grandchildren, Senoj, Ti’ara (Chickie), and Thai (Grandaddy’s Chunky Cheeks) Saunders; six brothers and sisters, Hubert Harrington (Lois), Larry Miller, Peggie Jones, Patricia Lee (Allen), Shirley Jones, and Lora Jones. 15 aunts and uncles who call him son; Fuzzy’s host of first cousins, many with whom he grew up, regarded him like a brother; there was no distance between him and second, third cousins, and beyond. To scores of nieces, nephews, greats, great-greats, he was simply Uncle Fuzzy; no generational gap was a factor for his love. Whether he was Fuzzy or Judge, an extended network of family, friends, and associates will forever know the man, the myth, the legend, the life, and love of Fuzzy, formally and forever known as Mr. Judge Jones.
August 28, 1954…
Mr. Judge Jones, affectionately called Fuzzy, was born August 28, 1954 in Yazoo City, Mississippi to the union of Bilbo and Betty Jean Jones as the second of seven siblings.
‘Thank God I’m a Country Boy’
Fuzzy was a curious young boy who cherished his upbringing and honored his family. He spoke highly of the values, morals, and work ethic instilled into him by his parents and grandmothers Minnie Harrington and Adola Jones. His southern roots would lay the foundation for the meaning of family, fellowship, spirituality, and his palate – which often hit you with requests for Italian beef and combination delivery from Chicago.
No greater pride hath a man than that of Judge Jones when he spoke of Mississippi, the place of his origins. Whether describing how to pick cotton or hog slaughtering season, he recanted every detail whether you wanted to hear it or not.
‘Sweet Home Chicago’
When the Joneses relocated to Chicago from Jackson, Mississippi in 1964, Fuzzy would complete primary and middle school and thereafter enroll into Austin High School on the city’s west side. He would earn his place in the Jones family business at Herb’s Barber Shop & Betty’s Boutique as a skilled barber where he groomed and talked shop with clients who became family. He married and became a girl dad of two girls, Candace and his twin Tiffani.
‘For the love of the game.’
Fuzzy’s early interest in athletics made him an avid and winning player from hockey to basketball to bowling. Although of short height and stature, he commanded the respect of many taller and bigger players throughout the City of Chicago Public School System due to his nimble ball handling and fluid movements on the court. He helped bring the 1972 and ‘73, Austin H.S. Men’s Basketball Team notoriety when their team advanced to the State playoffs. The Jones home was peppered with his many trophies and athletic commendations.
Among his older children’s fondest memories are Fuzzy picking them up from the school gym, summoning a basketball from a boy, and creating a spectacle by seamlessly spinning the ball on his fingers while children gathered around in awe (this would give his girls advance credit for when the dad jokes followed).
Fuzzy exemplified sportsmanship and his love of the game was unmatched. Whether it was the Bulls, the Bears, or the Cubs, he was especially loyal to Chicago’s teams and passionately collected memorabilia to commemorate his pride for the city.
“You can take the boy out of Chicago but you can’t take the Chicago out of the boy.”
To know Fuzzy is to know he was a homeboy: he represented Chicago by way of Mississippi — it will forever be part of his identity.
After 29 years as Chicago’s very own, Fuzzy was inspired by new horizons and joined his sister Lora in the mid-Atlantic region, making his first stop Virginia in 1993. He earned certification for telecom wiring and entered the industry thereafter. Life was good and it got better a few summers later when he became a father to his first son and his prince Alexander, followed by a bouncing, bright-eyed baby girl Dominga Jade who would complete his next generation.
He later relocated to Baltimore, MD and in April 2014 and married the beautiful Janetta who loved her “Jeorg”, as she affectionately called him, beyond the test of time.
He was simply Judge at the many institutions that were graced with his presence and work ethic. It was most recent at Hertz Rental Car in Baltimore where he brightened his colleagues’ days, socialized, and renewed his purpose with every shift.
“I love, I love, I love, I love, I love music…”
A little bit country. A little bit rock and roll. But he was all soul. Homegrown full of down home blues and kept it funky from the likes of Zapp & Roger to Queen and everything in between. He knew B-sides and music you can’t find save for random clips. He inspires his daughter Candace AKA DJ CJ with every set. Fuzzy created a disco in his car, at the grill, and cued a line dance on a whim.
“Gather every man, gather every woman
Celebrate your lives, give thanks for your children
Gather everyone, gather all together
Overlooking none, hopin' life gets better for the world…”
“Harvest for the World” by The Isley Brothers
Fuzzy never met a stranger. He was a beacon who lit up every room he entered. His zeal made him the life of the party. He made your phone ring, frequently. He prompted you to smile, sometimes while shaking your head, but always with a smile.
A mentor in his own right, he was compassion personified. He was somebody to everybody and imparted gems and guidance onto whoever sought it, and rarely said no. Fuzzy loved hard and took great pride in showing up for anyone who called on him.
… - December 14, 2021
Over and over you can be sure
There will be sorrow but you will endure
Where there's a flower, there's the sun and the rain
Oh, but it's wonderful, they're both one in the same
“Joy and Pain” by Frankie Beverly and Maze
Fuzzy transitioned on December 14, 2021 in Baltimore, Maryland. A devout Christian, he eternally joins God and Jesus Christ and leaves this earthly plane with love to his devoted wife of 8½ years Janetta Jones; his parents Betty and Bilbo Jones; his pride and joy, his four children from (from previous unions) Candace (Alfred), Tiffani (Terrell), Alexander, and Dominga Jones; three grandchildren, Senoj, Ti’ara (Chickie), and Thai (Grandaddy’s Chunky Cheeks) Saunders; six brothers and sisters, Hubert Harrington (Lois), Larry Miller, Peggie Jones, Patricia Lee (Allen), Shirley Jones, and Lora Jones. 15 aunts and uncles who call him son; Fuzzy’s host of first cousins, many with whom he grew up, regarded him like a brother; there was no distance between him and second, third cousins, and beyond. To scores of nieces, nephews, greats, great-greats, he was simply Uncle Fuzzy; no generational gap was a factor for his love. Whether he was Fuzzy or Judge, an extended network of family, friends, and associates will forever know the man, the myth, the legend, the life, and love of Fuzzy, formally and forever known as Mr. Judge Jones.