Mark Jones

Mark Anthony Jones (lovingly called Tony by family) passed away at home of sudden cardiac death on Tuesday, August 11, 2020.  Mark was born on January 26, 1965, at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Mark attended school in Little Rock, Arkansas from Kindergarten thru 9th grade. When his family relocated to Milwaukee before the school year was over in 1980, he stayed with his uncle, William, and his family to finish out the school year with his football and track teams.   In the Fall of 1980, Mark enrolled at Harold S. Vincent HS and right away joined the football team.  While a student at Vincent, Mark was a standout tight end, winning team titles - All-Conference & All-State.   Mark graduated from Vincent HS on June 9, 1983. In the Fall of 1983, he entered UW-La Crosse as a freshman football player on his way to reach his greatest dream, that of becoming a football Pro.  He was at UW-La Crosse for 2 years before he transferred to Valley City State University in North Dakota for several semesters before returning to Wisconsin and enrolling in UW-Eau Claire for a year.   Mark was only 12 credits away from a degree in Physical Education when he gave it up to live his life for his kids.  Mark finally got the opportunity to use his football skills when he tried out for the Dallas Cowboys.  Unaware that he’d already been chosen by the scouts, in a blitz to showcase his skills he tripped, twisted and broke his ankle, ending his professional career before it started.  Needless to say, he was devastated!     Following his tryout with the Cowboys, Mark began working security for the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center. He also joined and played for the semi-professional football team, Express. Prior to becoming a coach at his high school alma mater, Mark was hired by MPS as a Paraprofessional and a School Safety Assistant. In 1993, he began his coaching career at Vincent.  He coached football, track and wrestling. During his time as a coach, his team won football championship titles in 2001, 2003 and 2005. In 2002 and 2004, his team placed in 2nd.   In 2012, while at Riverside, his Girls Track & Field team won the championship title.   In 2006, Mark joined Snack Shop M.C. and became best friends with Emmett Mallory, Big Rose & Tonya Edwards. At the time of his death Mark was employed by the MPS’ Lincoln Elementary School.  Mark will be sorely missed by his mother, Iva Croston: sister, Alicia Croston; brother, Miguel Jones; aunts, Joyce Marks (Leroy), Florence Greer and Gladys Lusk; uncles, Thester and William Louden; Milwaukee family, Kathleen and Thomas Robinson; adopted sister, Adrienne Lathan; many cousins, adopted children, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and a multitude of great friends.  He is also survived by a group of former student athletes that he referred to as his juniors: James Wright and Marques Johnson (both coached with him at Vincent), Dominique Johnson (coached with him at Riverside), Chris Govan, LaShawn Bullock, Drey Norwood, Tyrone Rhone, Calvin Wallace, Demetrius Brown, Greg Bracey and Carmelo Velazquez. Now that Mark is with his great-grandmother Carrie, grandmother Magnolia, and Aunt Marve Leen, he is loved both here on Earth and also in Heaven. Mark affected a lot of people during his lifetime, from his own family to friends, co-workers to countless students and many others from all walks of life.  “Those who knew Mark, even just a little, lost a light in their lives.” Memorial Services will be held on Friday, August 21, 2020 @ 4:00 PM CDT, Vincent HS Stadium
7501 N. Granville Road, Milwaukee, WI 53224 Please bring 1 gold or burgundy balloon for the Balloon Release following the Memorial. Everyone attending the memorial in person is required to wear a mask.