Pastor Dewitt C. Jones Jr.

In Loving Memory of Pastor Dewitt C. Jones, Jr.
May 25, 1933 – August 1, 2026

There are some people whose lives are measured not by wealth or recognition, but by the love they leave behind. Dewitt C. Jones, Jr., was one of those rare souls. To many, he was affectionately known as "Pop Jones." To his seven children—he was simply Daddy, a title he cherished above all others.

Dewitt C. Jones, Jr. was born on May 25, 1933, in Bolivar County, Cleveland, Mississippi, to Ruth Caver Ziegler and Dewitt C. Jones, Sr. As the firstborn of three children, he embraced the responsibilities of leadership and family from an early age, laying the foundation for the husband, father, pastor, and servant of God he would become. At the age of 17, he accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized by The Reverend L.R. Skipper(uncle), beginning a lifelong journey of faith that would shape every aspect of his life.

From 1953 to 1955, Dewitt proudly served in the United States Army. During his military service, he was a member of the US boxing team representing the Army in competitive boxing events. The ring taught him discipline, resilience, and quiet confidence, and those lessons stayed with him for the rest of his life. Years later, he would lace up gloves with his own children, teaching them not only how to fight, but when not to, and reminding them that true strength begins with character. Following his military service, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, in 1955. There he became a faithful member of Christian Hope Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend H. B. Brady, a pastor whom he deeply loved and respected. He enjoyed serving as a young deacon there. It was there that God blessed him with the greatest love of his life, Gloria Jean Dean. They were united in holy matrimony on December 2, 1956, beginning a marriage that became a beautiful example of faithfulness, devotion, and enduring love.

In 1969, Dewitt moved his family from Chicago, Illinois, to Tacoma, Washington "to build a future that would sustain and strengthen his family for generations to come. On the hilltop of Tacoma, they found a place of belonging at the New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Bishop T. L. Westbrook. Dewitt was ordained as a minister and Elder. They served faithfully for more than 25 years. It was within that church family that his children continued to blossom, developing a lifelong commitment to worship, discipleship, and faithful service through the example of parents who believed that serving God was life’s greatest calling.

Dewitt approached every season of his life with diligence, humility, and an unwavering commitment to serve. Throughout his career at Kaiser Aluminum, his strong work ethic, integrity, and quiet leadership earned the respect and admiration of colleagues and friends alike. When he retired, he left behind more than years of dedicated service—he left a legacy of excellence, dependability, and honor.

Retirement did not mark the end of his calling; it simply opened the door to a new season of ministry. In the early 1990s, Dewitt and Gloria answered the call to serve as leaders of the Union Gospel Mission Family Shelter. Together, they ministered to men, women, and families by sharing the love of Christ, providing a place of refuge, and caring for their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs with compassion and grace. He was committed to serving his community and was a proud member of the Yakima Ministerial Alliance.

In 1998, Daddy embraced another divine assignment when he accepted the call to serve as Senior Pastor of Victory Church of God in Christ in Yakima, Washington. He faithfully shepherded the congregation until his retirement from pastoral leadership, leaving a lasting impact through his wisdom, steadfast faith, and servant’s heart.

Even after retiring as Senior Pastor, Dewitt’s passion for God’s people never diminished. He and Gloria became devoted members of Restoration Church, where they worshiped under the leadership of their children, Pastors Dewitt III and Kim Jones. Later, they joined Breakthrough Church, faithfully serving under Pastors Brian and Kari Jennings.
Dewitt’s final earthly assignment was serving as Associate Pastor at Redeemed City Church alongside his youngest son and daughter-in-law, Pastors Preston and Becky Jones. Until the very end, he remained committed to proclaiming the Gospel, encouraging others, and living a life marked by faith, humility, and faithful service. Yet his greatest life's work was not found in a factory or even in a church building—it was found within the walls of his own home. We heard him humming and praying many nights; he was on his knees crying out God.

Dewitt was an extraordinary husband and father. He loved Gloria wholeheartedly and demonstrated every day what it meant to cherish one's spouse. He led not only with words but by example. He taught his children to love God, love their mother, pray without ceasing, study the Scriptures for themselves, treat every person with dignity, work hard, live with integrity, and to never underestimate the healing power of kindness, laughter, and joy.

He never met a stranger. His warm smile, friendly spirit, and genuine interest in others made everyone feel welcome. He possessed the rare gift of making people feel like family........

On August 1, 2026, at 9:26 PM, Pastor Dewitt Jones Jr. transferred his membership to the Eternal Church of our Lord.

His legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and the countless lives he touched through his faith, friendship, and unwavering love. Dewitt was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Ziegler, father, Dewitt C. Jones Sr, his beloved wife, Gloria Dean Jones, his son Gershom, Calvin Ziegler (younger brother), Nelson Caver(uncle/brother), Callie Caver-Berry(aunt/sister). He leaves to celebrate his legacy his one and only baby sister, Elaine Jones, Seven children: Pastor Dewitt C. Jones III (Kim), Pastor Annie R. Jones-Barnes (Rickey), L.Neal Jones, Doctor Gloria A. Jones-Dance (Peter), Gershom C. Jones(deceased), Dorcas A. Jones, Pastor Preston G. Jones (Becky); Seventeen grandchildren: Jasmine Laster, Djeniele Jones-Hooten(Nathaniel), Kevin Laster II, Dominique Jones-Palmer (Orlando), Victoria Barnes, Dewitt C. Jones IV, Judah Jones (Jessica), Mya Jones, Moses Jones, Velvin Dance, Tim Dance, Angie Dance, Peter Dance II and Michaela Dance, Micah Jones, Ayla Jones and Levi Jones. Eleven great-grandchildren: King Smith, Madison, McKenzie, and Max Hooten, Alan and Tesserah Alley, Genevieve Rockmore, Violet Laster, Kendrick Laster, Shilo Palmer, baby Junia Palmer due in early Sept.

A Daughter's Tribute,
What can I say about my one and only Daddy?
He showed me how a man should love his wife. He showed me what it felt like to be deeply loved as his daughter. He showed me how to love and parent children who were not born to me, loving them fully and without distinction. He taught me how to love God, how to pray, and how to search the Scriptures for myself. He taught me how to be a loyal friend, how to laugh until it hurt, and how to truly enjoy life.
We may not have had an abundance of money or possessions, but we never lacked what mattered most. There was always enough love in our home.
Sometimes you don't realize the gift you've been given until you step out into the world and discover that not every home is built on love, faith, laughter, and family. Ours was.
All of his children simply called him "My Daddy." But whenever we were talking to one another about him, somehow he became "your daddy." We would laugh and say, "Your daddy said..." or "Your daddy did..." and everyone knew exactly who we meant. It became one of the many little joys that made our family uniquely ours.
In his final days, I wanted him to hear me say, "I love you," as many times as I possibly could, because I never knew when it might be the last time I would hear him say those precious words back to me.
What a blessing it was to have our Daddy for ninety-three wonderful years.
His life was a testimony. His love was our inheritance. His faith became our foundation.
All I can say now is this...
I will miss my Daddy more than words can ever express.
"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23