Dr. Stephen G. Jones
A May 19 service will celebrate the life of Dr. Stephen G. Jones, professor emeritus of music and an internationally known professional trumpet player, who died suddenly April 25. He was 70.
Jones was a member of the WMU faculty for 42 years before his retirement in 2014. His tenure at the University included many performances as a soloist and as a member of the Western Brass Quintet. He traveled internationally to perform with colleagues around the world and to serve as a visiting scholar.
Jones' students over the years found success as university teachers and orchestral musicians around the nation. His University influence also included service on a variety of committees that helped shape the policy and direction for the WMU School of Music. In addition, he was a lifetime member and two-term past president of the International Trumpet Guild.
After his retirement, Jones stayed active as a musician, performing with the West Michigan Brassworks and as a soloist, music instructor and music arranger.
Jones earned his bachelor's degree from Ohio State University, a master's degree from Wichita State University and a doctoral degree from the University of Michigan. Before joining the WMU faculty in 1972, he was a teaching assistant at Wichita State for two years and a member of both the Wichita Symphony and the Wichita Brass Quintet.
He is survived by his wife, Linda, who is also a WMU retiree, and a son, Peter.
Services
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 504 S. Westnedge Ave., in Kalamazoo.
Remembrances
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church or the Western Michigan University School of Music.
Western Michigan University School of Music
c/o WMU Foundation
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008