Ray Edward Jones' Obituary
On February 2, 2023, Ray Edward Jones went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ray was born on July 8, 1933, in Sylvarena, Mississippi to Lem Jones and Robbie Grant Jones. Growing up on the farm and being the youngest of 7 children during the Great Depression, Ray learned about having to work hard in order to get ahead. However, Ray was blessed by the closeness of a large family and learned early on that dedication and teamwork was necessary in order to achieve success at whatever life required at the time. Even in the Depression and subsequent years of World War II, his family worked in tandem with their community to grow what was needed for everyone to thrive during those lean years.
Ray’s earliest years after high school were spent in the aviation industry as an aircraft radio technician in Birmingham, Alabama. His service in the Army took him to Ft. Eustace, Virginia where he continued to be involved with aircraft as an instructor of allied subjects. After his service Ray returned to Birmingham where he launched a full-time career in direct sales. It was here that he met his wife Toni, and they embarked on a 65-year journey of marriage.
At just 21 years of age, Ray was already proving himself to be a standout in the art of salesmanship. His infectious personality coupled with a genuine love of people gave him the innate skills necessary to achieve success out in the field. He had developed a very disciplined work ethic growing up and this gave him the valuable foundation necessary to succeed in his craft.
Ray and Toni eventually settled in Mobile, Alabama for a new business opportunity and, in part, because the fishing was good. It was in Mobile where all 3 of their children, Mark, Brent and Tonya were born. For 17 years as he raised his family, Ray’s career in cookware sales flourished. Toni became an integral part to his sales presentations and team building and together they built a successful sales organization that to this day holds achievement records that are rarely challenged.
During his time in Mobile and with the support of the company he was working with, Ray helped pioneer and promote a new product line of residential fire alarms. His passion for this new product took on a new meaning when his secretary’s mother and daughter lost their lives in a home fire. This made him more determined than ever to ensure the success of the products he represented.
Due to his regional success, in 1974 Ray was asked to move to Dallas to lead and grow the MasterGuard fire alarm business. Later, Ray purchased the company to have the freedom to independently take the it in the direction he saw fit. Subsequently as a result of improvements in communication and fire detection technology, Global Health and Safety was established by Ray to better protect more families from residential fire.
Today, through Global Health and Safety, Ray’s vision has been made complete as it remains an industry leader in home fire protection and provides countless people the same opportunity that he himself was given so many years ago of building an independent sales organization they can call their own.
Ray was wholly devoted to the love of his life, Toni. He loved his family, the outdoors, his cattle, and surrounding wildlife. He always enjoyed a good hunt, and he fished until the end. There wasn’t a sport he didn’t enjoy watching, but he particularly relished a good golf game. He played a bit in his younger years but most of all he loved a good story with anyone in earshot. He never tired of hearing about his grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved when he got to spend time with them. He never met a stranger and was determined to share anything he was enthusiastic about.....whether it be a favorite restaurant, a fishing hole, a stock pick, Toni’s mom’s borscht or her black eyed peas, or the business opportunity of direct sales. He had the blessing of a long life well lived surrounded by family that loved him.
He is survived by his wife Toni, their 3 children: Mark Jones (Gail), Brent Jones, and Tonya Egger (Chris); Grandchildren: Kevin (Jen) Jones, Hannah (Scott) Mendelssohn-Jones, Trevor (Whitney) Jones, Westin Jones, Braden Jones, Katherine (Joe) Whitman, Colton Egger, Brynn Egger, Meredith Egger; Great-Grandchildren: Aubrey, Walker, Grayton, Barrett, Ryan, Adalie, and Harper.
What’s your fondest memory of Ray?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ray?
Share a story where Ray's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ray you’ll never forget.
How did Ray make you smile?