Darren D. Jones
January 30, 1965 – January 16, 2024
On this day, friends and family gather to say goodbye to Darren Jones. Darren was born on January 30, 1965, the first son of his beloved mother Alice Jones. Darren was big brother to Umekia, Sabrina, and Latonya. He also claimed Preston Phelps as his brother from another mother. He would also like to recognize his extraordinary nephew and niece, Jarrard and Charnae along with a host of many other nieces and nephews. Darren also recognizes his beautiful first, second and third cousins that he loved and cherished very much.
Darren was a man of honesty, modesties, and pride. He worked to promote himself and to help others. Darren is the nephew to the lovely and deceased Aunt Joy Jones, Joe and Gladys, James and Lucy, Lawrence and Lilly, and Junior and Jean.
In 1972, Darren attended Lockhart Elementary school where he met his two lifelong friends, Anita Dixon and Diana Babbitt. He graduated from Jesse Jones High School, and went on to attend U of H where he earned a B.A. in Communications. Darren also achieved graduate hours in Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood Education. In 2002 Darren was employed with the Harris County Education HeadStart Program where he worked for eight years. He started off as a teachers aid, but he moved up to a full-time teacher. It was also doing that time he met another lifetime friend Miss Valerie Stephens, and they are still friends to this day. Darren received his highest honor in 2010 when he became a part of the State of Texas and worked with DARS. He held his position for 14 years as a Blind Children’s Specialist. He met numerous people who influenced and changed his life while being employed there. But his main goal while being there was to give back and help support the children that were visually impaired.
Darren would like to be known as an independent man and not as a visually impaired man. To include a man of honor, grace, and humor. He hoped he touched someone along his journey in a positive way. May Darren a son, a brother, cousin, nephew, and friend rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers please donate to the family or Lighthouse of the Blind
https://www.houstonlighthouse.org/donate
Funeral Service Information
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Visitation
9:30 a.m.
Service
11:00 a.m.
Forest Lawn Funeral Home
8706 Almeda Genoa Rd.,
Houston, TX 77075
Interment to Follow
Burial
1:00 p.m.
Houston Memorial Gardens
2426 Cullen Blvd.
Pearland, TX 77581
I worked with Darren at the Blind Children’s Program. Every time I saw Darren he had a smile on his face. His positivity and joy were infectious. He will be missed at BCP dearly.
Darren thank you for being so good to me! You always looked out for me! I will always remember our friendship! You always came to my office with a big smile and checked on me and asked about my family! I loved showing you pictures of my kids. I still miss our Whataburger lunches, just you and I and catch up on our lives. You always brought me birthday cards too! I love and miss you my sweet true friend.
Darren is a beautiful man with an exquisite soul who is deeply loved by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. In my short time with him, he blessed my life in so many ways. I will miss his many “BCP check on you” calls to me…just when I needed them! I often wondered how he would know when I needed those check-ins, and at just the right time, but realized quickly that it was Darren’s sweet intuition that kept him so focused on those around him! A kinder, more gentle man, I have not met. I will forever cherish my more recent moments shared with him at the summer Non-Visual Skills training where he taught me to navigate the cafeteria, use labels efficiently, Braille and burn my grilled cheese! We shared a love for the sound of birds singing in the morning…now those songs will mean so much more to me. His love, goodness and grace for all those who know him will be forever ours to treasure.
Darren was simply one of the best persons I ever met. He advocated vigorously for all students with visual impairments and their parents. Most importantly, Darren was an exceptional human being who genuinely cared about people. He will be truly missed, but his legacy will continue to live through all the lives he has touched. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
I’ve worked in the same office with Darren for the past three years or so and have known him for several years longer than that. He always had a ready smile and kept a close eye on his consumers and their needs. I am glad I had the chance to work with him and learn from him I will miss him very much.
A wonderful person. He was fun and a dedicated employee. I had the honor of working at DARS with him and getting to know Darren. He was so kind and hard working.
He will be missed. Heaven has gained a tremendous Angel.
Larry Wilkins
To Alice and the rest of the Family. Your Cousins, The Cloudy Family, send our deepest sympathy and condolences to you. We loved Darren and we will truly miss him. May God give you strength as you face the days ahead.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” (Matt. 5:4)
We love you our prayers are with you.
My deepest sympathy to Darren’s family. Darren was an outstanding individual in many ways. Wonderful co-worker and had a excellent work ethic. It was a blessing to know him.
Our sincere condolences too the family. Praying for comfort and healing in the days ahead.
Sweet Darren, you treated me so well! You daily checked me for 13 years at our Fuqua office! You were my true friend. I loved going to Whataburger with you, just us. You always asked about my life and my kids and told me about your sweet Mom and your family. You always checked on me. And you always left me Beautiful birthday cards and candy and a twenty bill on my desk. You were are are still the truest kindest sweetest and most genuine guy I ever met. Always made sure I could hear you too. Such a beautiful soul and friend Darren!
My condolences to Darren’s family may your happy memories of Darren give you peace and comfort. I will truly miss Darren and the special bond we shared.
Darren was a beacon of light and knowing him was God sent. He blessed me with his beautiful spirit and kindness.
I would like to offer my condolences to Darren’s family. I did not know Darren long, he worked out of our new shared office location, but he made a quick impression, and he easily became the highlight of my Fridays that I reported to this location. Darren’s positive spirit was infectious, and I was quite saddened and stunned to hear of his passing! I will deeply miss chatting with him on Fridays, his overall positivity, and his smile!
My sincere condolences go out to the family. I worked with Darren for 14 years as his Assistant.
Darren you will be missed tremendously by me and many everyday. I will definitely miss our everyday phone calls to check in on each other just to say Hi. I will miss when you would call me and you would say to me ” Good Morning Sunshine.” Now you will be my Sunshine up in the sky shining down on me. Darren not only did we become Co-workers but we also became family as we had a brother/ Sister relationship. The office won’t be the same without you there especially not being able to see your smiling face and not being able to hear your jokes where we would laugh so hard until our stomachs hurt. I will miss you coming to my cubicle to ask me ” did you bring lunch today” and then we would go out to lunch. We were able to make so many memories as a team and we were definitely a great Team. There will never be another like you as you were a genuine perosn with a heart of gold. I will miss our conversations on Friday when we were in the office together and once you knew that I came into the office you would come and visit me in my cubicle to chat. I am grateful that I worked by your side for 14 years, you definitely made those years enjoyable and special. You will always hold a special place in my heart. May you fly with the angels and may you rest in our Heavenly Father’s arms now.