Donald Jones
Donald Lewis Jones (born c. 1961; died April 21, 2021) was a 26-year veteran of the Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service, and chief of the Midfield Fire & Rescue Service from 2020 until his death.
Jones was one of seven siblings. He graduated from Jess Lanier High School, Lawson State Community College, and Alabama State University. He joined the Birmingham department as a firefighter and paramedic on August 23, 1993. He was promoted to fire lieutenant in June 2005, to fire captain in May 2008, and to battalion chief in May 2011. He was named assistant fire chief in October 2015.
Jones died from cardiac arrest in April 2021. His funeral service was held at Bessemer's DeBardeleben Park, and he was buried at Highland Memorial Gardens.
Jones was survived by his wife, the former Jennifer Martin, and four children: Monique, Ashley, Jasmine and Julian. The Magic City Poetry Festival, co-founded by Ashley, awards an annual "Chief Donald Lewis Jones Memorial Scholarship", funded by the Jones family and other gifts, in honor of his life of service.
References
- "Birmingham Fire and Rescue veteran Donald Jones dies at 59." (April 23, 2021) The Birmingham Times
- "Chief Donald Jones" obituary (April 26, 2021) The Birmingham News