Tommie L. Jones

Tommie L. Jones, Sr. was born on August 26, 1958, to Ruthie Mae Johnson in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Growing up in Milwaukee's close-knit communities, Tommie would spend his entire life serving the city that raised him, building a legacy of public service that would span nearly four decades.

As a young man, Tommie attended Washington High School in Milwaukee, where he distinguished himself both academically and athletically. He was a proud member of the Purgolder Football Team during his junior and senior years, wearing the school colors with dedication and forming friendships that would last a lifetime. The discipline and teamwork he learned on the field would serve him well in his future career.

Following his graduation, Tommie embarked on a career dedicated to helping society's most vulnerable members. He began his professional journey at the Carmelite Home for Boys in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, where he worked with adolescent troubled youth. This early experience shaped his understanding of the challenges facing young people and instilled in him a deep compassion for those struggling to find their way.

Tommie then transitioned to Milwaukee Public Schools, where he served as a paraprofessional at Pleasant View Elementary School, working specifically with students with disabilities. His gentle manner and patient approach made him a beloved figure among both students and staff, as he helped children overcome challenges and reach their potential.

The bulk of Tommie's professional career was spent serving the citizens of Milwaukee County as a Juvenile Correctional Worker. For twenty-two years, he worked within the juvenile justice system, bringing hope and guidance to young people who had lost their way. His colleagues remember him as someone who never gave up on a child, believing that every young person deserved a second chance. He retired from this position in September 2013, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and dedication.

Throughout his career, Tommie was a proud public servant and card-carrying union member with both the AFSCME and MTEA public service unions. He believed strongly in the power of collective bargaining and the importance of standing together with his fellow workers to ensure fair treatment and working conditions.

Faith played a central role in Tommie's life. He was a devoted member of the Ark of the New Covenant Church of God In Christ (COGIC), where he served on the Deacon Board. His fellow congregants knew him not only for his faithful service but also for his beautiful voice—he was known to sing impromptu solos during services, lifting the spirits of all who heard him. His faith provided him with strength and guided his interactions with others throughout his life.

Outside of work and church, Tommie enjoyed life's simple pleasures. He loved listening to good R&B and gospel music, sounds that reflected both his cultural heritage and spiritual devotion. A true Milwaukee local, he took pleasure in exploring the city's diverse restaurant scene, always eager to try a new place or return to an old favorite. These moments of joy and connection with his community brought him great happiness.

Tommie was a devoted father to his son, Tommie L. Jones, Jr., who married Monica and settled in Washington, D.C. The pride he felt in watching his son build his own life and career was evident to all who knew him. He was also blessed with a grandson, Cole Solomon Jones, who brought immense joy to his later years.

Family was everything to Tommie, and he maintained close relationships with his siblings and extended family throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Ruthie Mae Johnson, his stepfather Warren Johnson, and his brothers James A. Jones, Prentice E. Jones, Sr., and Jeffery Jones, as well as his sister Martha Ruth Thompson. He is survived by his brother Frederick Johnson and his wife Adrienne, along with several nieces and nephews who will carry on his memory.

In his final years, Tommie faced health challenges with the same courage and grace he had shown throughout his life. He battled kidney and heart failure with determination, never losing his positive spirit or his concern for others. On March 26, 2026, surrounded by his loving family at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee, Tommie L. Jones, Sr. passed away peacefully at the age of 67.

Tommie lived many happy years, blessed with a beautiful family and a host of friends and professional colleagues throughout his years of public service. His memory continues to live on through the countless lives he touched—the troubled youth he guided, the disabled children he supported, the young people in the juvenile justice system who found hope in his words, and the family and friends who knew and loved him dearly. His legacy is one of service, faith, and unwavering dedication to making his community a better place for all.