Patrick's Legacy

R.I.P.

Patrick Leo Jones

(18 Mar 1958 - 28 Nov 2010)

There is now a separate page at this website dedicated to Patrick's Legacy. You can click on the link named "PLJ Legacy" near the top of this screen. Please subscribe to that page (the link is at the bottom of that page) so that you will be notified when new posts are published. That way you can read (and comment on) what everyone writes.

I want to write a book about Patrick's life and I need help in collecting stories folks remember about him. There are several different ways you can contribute the stories you have about Patrick. You can email them to me, write them as a comment at the bottom of the legacy page, write the story and snail mail it to me, or just tell me the story, as so many of us are "oral historians". So, if you are not into writing, you can call me and tell me the story and I will type it out while you are on the phone (I type a jillion words a minute).

A memorial gathering to honor Patrick was held by his family in Durham, NC on January 25, 2011. At this event I got to meet a lot of his kin, which I had been looking forward to doing for some time. I was deeply touched by the stories his relatives shared with the group. Some were about when Patrick was a child with knowledge way beyond his years, and he was lovingly referred to as "the professor". Some stories told of his compassion and understanding when dealing with his, now grown, nieces and nephews when they were young and troubled and needed a guiding light. Each story illustrated a bit of Patrick's essence and the profound affect he had on those he loved.

For my part at the memorial, I shared a quote written by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) which pretty much describes Patrick to a tee.

"That man is successful who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much, who has gained the respect of the intelligent men and the love of children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task, who leaves the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who looked for the best in others and gave the best he had."

Also, I wrote a little piece about some things Patrick and I had talked about in September, after we were told his illness was terminal. We had talked about how much his family and friends meant to him, and after he was gone I was inspired to write about this.

The legacy Patrick wished to leave for those dear to him, is one filled with blessings of love, respect, and happiness. He has 27 nieces and nephews, all over the East Coast, whom he cherished. He frequently had “the young folks” on his mind, with many memories of heart-to-heart talks and of good times. Patrick felt as if all the young folks, along with his brother, his sisters, his many other relatives, as well as, the countless others who had touched his life, were with him in spirit during his final weeks. He wanted everyone to know that time, circumstance, or distance, did not lessen his great love for all of you. It seems fitting that Patrick spent his last years in Texas, because, quite simply, his heart was as big as Texas. For so many of us, he will forever remain our greatest earthly blessing. -- December, 2010