[2024] Vernon Jones Obituary
Title
[2024] Vernon Jones Obituary
Subject
Vernon Leon Jones, May 3, 1935 - February 5, 2024
Description
Four pages of an obituary for Vernon Leon Jones, who lived May 3, 1935 to February 5, 2024, published by Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home. A service was planned for March 1, 2024 at Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home.
Creator
Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home
Source
https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/
Date
March 1, 2024
Text
2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory
Butler-Stumpff & Dyer
funeral home, crematory, cemetery
Vernon Leon Jones
May 03, 1935 - February 05, 2024
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2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory
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Obituary
Vernon Leon Jones, 88, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, left this earthly plane to be with his late partner Phil Wiley, on February 5th, 2024.
He was born in Oklahoma, on May 3rd, 1935. As a gay man, born and raised here, Vernon’s chosen family is vast. He is survived by Hayward Jones, Nekesha Jones, JaKobe Jones, Sue Davis, Fred Hilliard, Arlowe Clementine, Mason Thomas, Rey Thomas, and so many other individuals that claimed Vernon as their friend, family, and elder.
Vernon was an active learner, even in his later years. He was always working to understand the world around him and was eternally hopeful for a better world. He was a strong advocate for marginalized peoples and was particularly committed to Queer and Black Liberation.
Vernon was a clear Taurus. He was intelligent, dependable, logical, honest, and generous. Vernon spent most of his life focused on making his community better. He was a holder of receipts. A maker of spreadsheets. A true community historian and archivist.
Vernon was dedicated to making people safer, both in his career in emergency management and
his activist work in the ght against AIDS. He was not a stranger to controversy and was unrelenting in speaking his truth and the truth of the people he loved.
In the years before his death, Vernon worked hard to ensure that the legacy of LGBTQ activism in Tulsa was properly recorded and preserved for current and future generations. His substantial archive is now housed in Oklahoma State University’s Archives. This collection will be witnessed by researchers and community members for years to come.
Vernon was a connector. He worked hard to bring people together and was always willing to give someone support that needed it. Even in his death, he is connecting individuals over their shared love and respect for him and his life.
Vernon fought hard for his community and the legacy of his late partner Phil Wiley. Anyone who knew Vernon was graced with stories of Phil’s life and legacy as well as their love for one another.
In lieu of owers, we ask that you remember Vernon by learning something new, taking a stand on social issues that are important to you, and keeping his life and legacy alive through storytelling.
https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 2/4
2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory
Vernon’s memorial service will take place March 1 at 11 AM at Butler-Stump & Dyer Funeral Home (2103 E 3rd St, Tulsa, OK 74104).
ABOUT US
Butler-Stumpff & Dyer
funeral home, crematory, cemetary
“We will always be kind and we will never take advantage of you or your family at your saddest time” is our promise to you.
BUTLER-STUMPFF & DYER FUNERAL HOME
BUTLER-STUMPFF & DYER FUNERAL HOME
2103 E 3rd St
Tulsa, OK 74104
(918) 587-7000
info@butler-stump.com
Available 24/7
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2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory
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Butler-Stumpff & Dyer
funeral home, crematory, cemetery
Vernon Leon Jones
May 03, 1935 - February 05, 2024
Share:
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2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory
Guestbook
Send Flowers
Obituary
Vernon Leon Jones, 88, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, left this earthly plane to be with his late partner Phil Wiley, on February 5th, 2024.
He was born in Oklahoma, on May 3rd, 1935. As a gay man, born and raised here, Vernon’s chosen family is vast. He is survived by Hayward Jones, Nekesha Jones, JaKobe Jones, Sue Davis, Fred Hilliard, Arlowe Clementine, Mason Thomas, Rey Thomas, and so many other individuals that claimed Vernon as their friend, family, and elder.
Vernon was an active learner, even in his later years. He was always working to understand the world around him and was eternally hopeful for a better world. He was a strong advocate for marginalized peoples and was particularly committed to Queer and Black Liberation.
Vernon was a clear Taurus. He was intelligent, dependable, logical, honest, and generous. Vernon spent most of his life focused on making his community better. He was a holder of receipts. A maker of spreadsheets. A true community historian and archivist.
Vernon was dedicated to making people safer, both in his career in emergency management and
his activist work in the ght against AIDS. He was not a stranger to controversy and was unrelenting in speaking his truth and the truth of the people he loved.
In the years before his death, Vernon worked hard to ensure that the legacy of LGBTQ activism in Tulsa was properly recorded and preserved for current and future generations. His substantial archive is now housed in Oklahoma State University’s Archives. This collection will be witnessed by researchers and community members for years to come.
Vernon was a connector. He worked hard to bring people together and was always willing to give someone support that needed it. Even in his death, he is connecting individuals over their shared love and respect for him and his life.
Vernon fought hard for his community and the legacy of his late partner Phil Wiley. Anyone who knew Vernon was graced with stories of Phil’s life and legacy as well as their love for one another.
In lieu of owers, we ask that you remember Vernon by learning something new, taking a stand on social issues that are important to you, and keeping his life and legacy alive through storytelling.
https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 2/4
2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory
Vernon’s memorial service will take place March 1 at 11 AM at Butler-Stump & Dyer Funeral Home (2103 E 3rd St, Tulsa, OK 74104).
ABOUT US
Butler-Stumpff & Dyer
funeral home, crematory, cemetary
“We will always be kind and we will never take advantage of you or your family at your saddest time” is our promise to you.
BUTLER-STUMPFF & DYER FUNERAL HOME
BUTLER-STUMPFF & DYER FUNERAL HOME
2103 E 3rd St
Tulsa, OK 74104
(918) 587-7000
info@butler-stump.com
Available 24/7
https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 3/4
2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory
VISIT US
Butler-Stumpff …
View larger map
Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home
Map data ©2025 Report a map error
© Copyright 2025 | Butler-Stump & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory | Privacy Policy | All Rights Reserved | Blog
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Citation
Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home, “[2024] Vernon Jones Obituary,” OKEQ History Project, accessed April 19, 2025, https://history.okeq.org/items/show/1285.