To Petra and the Jones Family,
I was surely saddened to learn of the death of my old friend, Howard. We met when he came to our house on the first day that his family moved to the East Blvd address. My brother, Bill and I lived at the corner of Brandon & Glenroy. Howard's dad, Sgt. H. M. Jones, Sr., a Petersburg Police Detective had told Howard Jr. to stay away from those Griffin boys, (our nutty neighbor used to call the police frequently because our corner house was a "hangout"). So Howard came to our house the first day he was in Walnut Hill and we became great friends, and Howard's dad found out that we weren't such bad kids after all. The wonderful memories of Howard are too many to post here but I will cherish all of them. We lost touch when I joined the Army in 1967 and I guess Howard left the Petersburg area. I never saw him at reunions, etc. but I will remember him as a grand athlete, a tremendously funny, witty guy and a friend who lives on in my many cherished memories of growing up in Petersburg and attending good old PHS! And by the way, Howard wouldn't have remembered me as D. Courtney Griffin. I was just David, a.k.a. - Dirty Dave, back then!

D. Courtney Griffin
22500 Pear Orchard Road
Moseley, VA 23120-1324
(804) 739-8707

Dear Jo Bolling,
We just heard about Howard and want to express our sympathy to you and all the family. Kay, Joanne and I remember visiting you all up on Hinton Street when we were very young and Howard was known affectionally as "Peter Rabbit." Howard certainly looked like his father. If you have an email address, please email me back so we can correspond. Time is a great friend for those who are bereaved. I pray you will feel comfort from the angels all around you and God will give you peace and understanding. Loving heartfelt sympathy, Fay
6725 Arbor Lake Drive
Apartment 102
Chester, VA 23831

To Howard's family in your time of sorrow.
We go all the way back to the old A.P.Hill
schoolground days. Pitching for summer league
and Church League. Have thought about him and
his sister,Jo;many times over the years.
Worked with Jo's daughter ,Joy, at Post Office
until I retired..Again ;very sorry for your loss.

I am very sorry to hear of Howard`s passing. Howard and I went to AP Hill,Bolling Jr. High, and PHS together.I always remember his humor and his talents on the pitcher`s mound. Once in a while for some inexplicable reason my mind reverts back to some of the crazy moments we had together and I have to chuckle. He was a character. Condolences to the family.

Carmine Ruffa
Tokyo, Japan

My sincerest condolences to Mrs. Jones and Jo. As you know, I always loved Howard as a friend and teammate from A.P. Hill and onward. I have thought of him frequently over the years, always with a smile on my face. I'm so sorry we lost contact long ago, but I'll never forget him and the kindness that you all showed me as a kid.
Rest in peace, 'Jonesie.'
With great great sorrow,
Benny Hicks
Sterling, VA.

p.s. I know it's Howard Milton Jones, Jr.

I'm so sorry to hear about Howard.........we have tried many times to contact him for our class reunions over the years...we enjoyed him so much in high school...He was a fun person and such a spark to our class....so sorry for your loss.

SUSAN JOHNSON GRIZZARD
(tell Jo Bolling - Leilani Johnson's sister)
11531 chester road
chester, va 23831
(804)768-0204

I'm so sorry to hear about Howard.........we have tried many times to contact him for our class reunions over the years...we enjoyed him so much in high school...He was a fun person and such a spark to our class....so sorry for your loss.

SUSAN JOHNSON GRIZZARD
(tell Jo Bolling - Leilani Johnson's sister)
11531 chester road
chester, va 23831
(804)768-0204

My deepest sympathy to Petra & family in Howard's passing. I was not only shocked, but very saddened at the news of his death. Although I hadn't seen Howard since our graduation in 1964, he was a very special friend during my high school years. My greatest memory of him is that he always made me laugh. May God bless you all with His love and peace during this very difficult time. Love & prayers.
Carol Wade Wrenn