| Graduation Year | Class of 1966 |
| Date of Passing | Apr 25, 2018 |
| About | Stephen Graf Jones October 17, 1947 - April 24, 2018 JONES, Stephen G., DMA Portage Dr. Stephen G. Jones, 70, passed away Wednesday, April 25, 2018. He was born October 17, 1947 to the late James A. “Lone” and Freeda I. (Graf) Jones. Steve was united in marriage to Linda L. Patterson on May 30, 1992 and was so very proud of his son Peter. Steve was an internationally renowned professional trumpet player. Professor of Music Emeritus at Western Michigan University, Steve taught for 42 years and served as a member of the Western Brass Quintet. Steve had a profound influence on the School of Music. As a teacher, he has left a legacy of excellence with his students finding professional success as university teachers and orchestral musicians. As a performer, he helped bring the Western Brass Quintet to international prominence. And his meticulous work as a member of numerous committees has helped shape important policy for the school. Upon his retirement he stayed active professionally, performing with the West Michigan Brassworks and as a soloist, teaching students, arranging music, and practicing for at least two hours each day. He was a lifetime member and two-term past President of the International Trumpet Guild. He felt privileged to be able to perform with colleagues and friends throughout the world. Steve felt blessed to be able to do something his entire life that he loved. He was so very proud of his colleagues and his students and all their accomplishments. He was a gregarious person, who enjoyed getting together with friends and family, telling stories and jokes (sometimes questionable ones), performing magic tricks, and sharing a meal or a brew. And he loved watching Peter grow into the man he is today. Steve is survived by his wife, Linda; son, Peter; brother, Tim; an aunt, uncle, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Steve was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Eric Lone Jones. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, May 19, at 2 pm at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 504 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Western Michigan University School of Music c/o WMU Foundation, 1903 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008. Please visit Steve’s personalized webpage at www.langelands.com Comments Dear Linda and Peter - Our deepest sympathy o n the loss of Steve/your father. What a shocking loss! Please know our prayers for comfort and peace are with you. We hope to see you at the service - Judy Markusse Paget and David Ma nn Judy Markusse Paget - 23 hours ago The last time I heard Steve play was at Bob Luscombe's memorial service. He brought a touch of the Beatific Vision to what was otherwise a very sad day. John Link John Link - May 01 at 11:35 PM There are so many musical memories with Stephen Jones while he was the instructor for my freshman brass quintet. The four members of this ensemble and me performed at numerous churches, schools and other venues. Steve was fun and knowledgeable of all things trumpet. He was a consummate performer and teacher who had multiple trumpet lead pipes, slides, valves, oils, corks, mutes and every other accessory known in the trumpet free world. His office was a virtual trumpet repair shop. This was in the 70's before he had attained his doctorate. My junior year, I took private lessons from Stephen as he guided me through a grueling embouchure change. This was an arduous challenge for me as I was grinding through this change while still performing in other musical ensembles at the university. I will never forget a non-musical event one day during a private lesson. My lips were especially tired from playing long tones and other exercises designed by Steve to strengthen my new embouchure setup. We began talking about food while I rested my lips from the grueling practice. Conversation drifted to McDonalds and Big Mac hamburgers. Stephen suddenly busted out with the phrase "Two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun." We both laughed AND Laughed and laughed and laughed!! ! Then it was back to practice. Stephen Jones had the best sense of humor. We spoke numerous times over the years since my graduation. He sent me trumpet mutes and countless other stuff. I loved this guy. Rest in Peace and teach Gabriel some Clark Technical Studies while you're up in heaven. Anthony “ “ “ Anthony Womack - April 30 at 10:25 PM One of my favorite memories with Stephen was when my son started studying with him in the summer of 7th grade, Richard was playing his trumpet, and Stephen sat in his chair reading the paper. My son asked if he was going to listen. Stephen replied..."When you start playing, I'll start listening." I laughed, but it was just what Rich needed. Rich and Stephen were not just student and teacher/mentor, they became friends and fellow musicians, and played together in orchestras several times. He was one of the teachers who prepared him for Boston and Tanglewood. We always enjoyed Stephens jocularity before a concert. The music world has lost a wonderful talent. Stephen will be greatly missed! Ed & Natalie Neckermann Natalie Neckermann - April 30 at 07:16 PM A favorite memory of Steve is him coming to our home when our boys were young. He wanted to entertain the boys and show them his trumpet. Well, he brought an array of trumpets, including a tiny one that we all remember to this day. Steve played & explained each one and had great fun doing so. Steve gave of himself freely and with joy, always. His smile was his trademark. Steve loved life. His passion for living and for music enriched countless lives and will be remembered with joy. - Jim & Jane Bauschke Jim & Jane Bauschke - April 30 at 03:39 PM What I remember most about Steve is how much of himself he put into everything he did (and I mean everything). His tremendous intelligence, musical mind, performing abilities and trumpet studio teaching/coaching are the most obvious, but he was just as gifted and dedicated in teaching academic courses and as a committee chair/committee member/colleague/mentor/friend. He was always enthusiastically meticulous--even insisting on the perfect wording and punctuation of every faculty evaluation letter, just to make sure they were completely accurate and clear. All this was rounded off with a warm heart and a fabulous sense of humor. Steve was always "Steve"--no matter where or what the circumstances--and we loved and respected him for it. What boggles my mind is that I only saw the LAST half of his 42 years at WMU. Absolutely incredible. What a loss...but how wonderful to have crossed life paths with him. - Dan Jacobson Dan Jacobson - April 30 at 02:35 PM “ “ “ From Aunt Jean: I loved Steve from the day he was born at White Cross Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He was the first grandchild in our family. I got to help choose his name. He was more like a brother to my children than a cousin. Our families spent most holidays together. We celebrated his accomplishments in music and academically. When Peter was born, my sister was overjoyed with a long desired grandchild. We made many trips to Michigan to play with the baby. (Not enough for Freeda, I'm sure) Thank you Linda and Peter for making our lives enriched. We will all miss Steve very much. I wish you both blessings as we go forward with out Steve. Jean Graf Windesheim Jean Windesheim - April 30 at 12:40 PM Western Michigan University has lost one of its finest musicians. Steve's performances were riveting and his ability to teach others was consistently lauded as outstanding. I recall fondly Steve's (and Scott's) performances at my inauguration and other WMU events. Dr. Jones will be missed, but his contributions to the School of Music and WMU will be everlasting. John M. Dunn, President Emeritus John M. Dunn - April 30 at 11:24 AM I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have studied trumpet under Dr. Jones in high school. He also led the trumpet section and coached the brass quintet at the Seminar high-school music camp at WMU, which I attended one summer. At first, I remember being really intimidated during his lessons in his studio, because Dr. Jones demanded a high degree of precision, and the exercises we went through were quite rigorous and technical. I had to practice a ton in order to feel prepared for these lessons, and often times would get discouraged for not playing up to his level of expectation. However, one of the many enjoyable memories from these lessons was when we would play duets together near the end, and all the technical groundwork he laid out would suddenly pay off handsomely as we played music together. I was always wowed to hear him play and to witness his great dexterity on the horn, things I have always tried hard to emulate. I soon realized that Dr. Jones genuinely cared about my growth as a musician, and he truly did help me grow, not just into a better trumpet player, but as a better person in general. These lessons were an integral learning experience in my life, and they taught me much about the importance of diligent practice and discipline, which has carried over into many other areas of my life, not just the trumpet. He was certainly a great inspiration to me and will be dearly missed. Thank you for having such a positive impact on me, Dr. Jones. May you rest in peace. “ “ “ Kyle Herrity - April 30 at 11:00 AM I sincerely want to thank Dr. Jones for his impact on my life. He instilled excellence and detail in my life that has carried over many times. He was bigger than life to me. And, he was always proud of my accomplishments. I'll never forget that about him. I wish the family to know what a great man he was, to me and the the rest of the music world. His music went beyond trumpet playing, and genuinely investigated all kinds of music for the sake of his students. His teaching, playing, lecturing and service will be remembered by all of us who knew him. May God Bless Stephen Jones......a life well lived! Dr. Jones...I'll miss you always and forever. Your impact on my life was such a positive one. Thank you. Rick Holland - April 29 at 10:49 PM Thank you for sharing life-enhancing skills with young students. I will always remember how my daughter talked about learning to use a calendar to schedule future meetings with you and the rest of the Quintet. It seemed to me that you were one of them and their time was just as valuable as your time. Rest in peace Dr. Jones you have made the world a better place. Joe - April 29 at 12:14 PM Thank you Steve for your gift of Music. You will be missed very much by your Church Family. Jim Harding Jim Harding - April 29 at 08:34 AM My first memory of Steve was as a student at Muskegon HS in the early to mid- 1970s. Steve and Donald Bullock came to Muskegon to perform with my HS band. Then when I moved to Muskegon in 1985, Pastor William Diehl sent Steve to my apartment to connect with me. I enjoyed getting to know Steve. This is a great loss. My deepest sympathy to all who knew and loved him. Nate Mattson - April 29 at 05:58 AM I knew Steve from grade school up, and we had many classes together. We became good friends and "partners in crime" in H.S., when home rooms, seating in the auditorium and many classes were alphabetized. So, Sue Jones was always right beside or right behind Steve Jones. :-) I forged several permission slips for him with “ “ “ “ “ his Mom's name when he forgot to have her do it. We shared some fun times at Operetta practices for the Acapella choir also, and just sharing chit chat in general on many occasions. It was so nice reconnecting with him several years ago on Facebook. He had often mentioned how happy he was with his life. We're all sorry that it was cut short. Extending sympathies to all his family. Sue Jones Oehrtman Sue Oehrtman - April 28 at 11:29 PM We have known Steve for over 40 years and are saddened beyond words at his sudden passing! We celebrated his marriage to Linda and the birth of his son, Peter and scores of truly wonderful musical events together! The world has lost an exceptional musician, husband, father and friend! We are heartbroken at his loss! Joanne and Bill Musselman Joanne Musselman - April 28 at 09:10 PM Just seeing Steve's joy and enthusiasm for music is motivating for all of us. I so appreciated his bringing the West Michigan Brassworks to perform as part of the worship service at Trinity Lutheran. I was blessed to have known him. God bless. Don Anderson Don Anderson - April 28 at 08:14 PM “ “ |
