His Beginning

Ralph Wallace Jones, Jr. was born on October 9,1946 to Anna Louise (Jarrett) Jones and Ralph Wallace Jones, Sr. in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the second born of three children.

Ralph was a 1964 graduate from North Central High School, Indianapolis, Indiana. He continued his higher education at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana where he strategically placed himself on campus to casually meet the beautiful freshman coed, Linda L. Hayden. 

The two fell in love and married on August 31, 1968. During their journey of love together, they were blessed to have Tia, their first born, for about a month. Following they added Scott, Stewart and Stacey to the family unit.

His Career

Ralph invested 17 years with The Hartford Insurance Group, resigning from The Hartford Specialty Company as the “HNIC” of coordinating underwriting, loss control and claims services of million-dollar accounts. His role with The Hartford took Ralph and his family from the Midwest living in Indianapolis and Evansville, Indiana to the East Coast of Simsbury and Hartford, Connecticut.

They returned to the Midwest with a move to CentelCorporation in Chicago, Illinois as Ralph took the role as an Assistant Risk Manager. In 1990 Ralph’s last move with his family was to Fort Wayne, Indiana where he worked in the family business, as President and CEO of Quantum Corporation of Indiana, affectionately known as Express Print & Copy. 

His Community Work

Ralph was very active in his community–serving on several boards and organizations including the NAACP Executive Board, African/African-American Historical Society, Fort Wayne Central Lions Club, Metro Youth Sports Board, Indiana Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, the Southside Business Group, Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, Union Baptist Church and the United Way of Allen County Board.

For his impact within the community, he was awarded with the NAACP Labor & Industry Award, the NAACP Micheaux Business Award, the NAACP Elizabeth Dobynes Award, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Black Leadership Summit Award, the Labor and Industry Committee Award, and the Atlas Foundation, Ltd Excellence Award. 

His Transition

At the age of 79, Ralph Wallace Jones, Jr. passed away peacefully at home on September 2, 2025, with his loving wife at his side.

His Loved Ones

Ralph is preceded in death by his daughter, Tia Louise Jones; his parents, Ralph Wallace Jones, Sr. and Anna (Jarrett) Jones; his sister, Gwendolyn Jones; his grandchild, Ke’Yahonna “Yaya” Stone; and his great nephew D’Andre Jones. 

His memories and legacy will continue with his surviving loved ones: his wife of 57 years, Linda Hayden-Jones; his sons, Brian C. Jones, Scott A. (Jennifer Arterberry) Jones, Stewart A. (Shawn La’Vista Robinson) Jones; his daughter, Stacey A. (LaTroya) Rucker; his grandchildren, Tanecia, Brian, Che, Devin, Olivia (Khaylan), Ava (Zach), Quaylin, Quayvion and Aiden; his great-grandchildren: Julian, Tylan, Tariq, Tremaine, Tyrone, T’aliyah, and Sariah;  his baby sister Diatra Jones; his nephews, Drake and Jarrett Jones; his great nieces and nephews, Drake, Jr., Jaylah and Jaxson Jones.  

His Honor

In lieu of flowers and plants, memorial donations can be made to the Union Baptist Church Building Fund in honor of Ralph Wallace Jones, Jr.  Union Baptist Church, 2200 Smith St., Fort Wayne, IN 46803.