Contact:  Ed Ferenc, Public Information Officer
Cleveland Municipal Court
216 664 6787 / 216 789 2597
ference@cmcoh.org     www.cmcoh.org

(Cleveland) -- He always loved to call a fellow jurist, “my favorite judge,” and he was a favorite of so many in the Cleveland community.

Sadly on Thursday, October 7, Judge Larry Antonio Jones Sr. unexpectedly passed away in Florida at the age of 68. 

“Larry Jones was the quintessential public servant—dedicated to making the judiciary and the community better,” said Eighth District Court of Appeals Administrative and Presiding Judge Mary J. Boyle, adding “apart from being a pioneer and legend in the legal community, he was a friend to everyone and made everyone feel that they were his favorite.”

Judge Jones was the Presiding and Administrative Judge of the Cleveland Municipal Court from 1995 to the end of 2008, when he left the Court for the seat on the Eighth District Court of Appeals.  His leadership abilities were evident early on when he became active at Glenville High School and was ultimately elected President of the Student Council.

“I chose to get involved because in our system, there’s always someone making decisions, and I soon realized you can be part of that decision process.  I get upset when people say they cannot make a difference.  We’ve got the best system of justice, over 200 years old and it’s still working.” he said.

Jude Jones served as a county prosecutor and city council member until elected to the Cleveland Municipal Court in 1987.  Under his guidance, the Court instituted programs that developed into several specialized dockets. In 1998, he was selected by his colleagues to serve as judge of the Greater Cleveland Drug Court, a collaborative program of city and county agencies designed to hold drug offenders accountable and provide treatment resources to break the cycle of drug abuse and drug-related crime and to reduce recidivism. 

Judge Jones often said the court is not just a place to pass sentence.  “We can have an impact on people’s lives—we see many at an early age and that’s when you can have a positive impact.”

“We have lost a giant, not only in the legal community, but the community at large.  Judge Jones was a trailblazer in so many ways.  He knew how to bring people together for the common good and create problem solving programs like our Drug Court, which resulted in a new beginning for so many suffering from addiction,” said Administrative and Presiding Judge Michelle D. Earley, who was appointed to Judge Jones’ seat when he left the Court in 2009.

Retired Judge Ronald Adrine (who succeeded Judge Jones as AJ/PJ) is among the many shaken by the news of Judge Jones’ passing.

“I am personally devastated by this unexpected and profound loss.  Judge Larry Antonio Jones, Sr., was an outstanding jurist and an exemplary community leader, on and off the bench.  More importantly, he was an exemplary human being.  He will be sorely missed by legions.  I number myself prominently within their ranks,” said Judge Adrine.

Services for Judge Larry A. Jones, Sr.

The viewing will be held at Cleveland’s Public Hall on Friday, October 22 from 1:00-6:00 pm and the family will be present from 4:00-6:00 p.m. 

The funeral service will be held at Public Hall on Saturday, October 23, beginning with another viewing at 9:30 a.m.  Services will begin at 10:30 a.m.

The family thanks you for your continued support and prayers at this time.