Gerald Van Jones Sr. M.D., was born on May 25, 1958, in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. The son of a career military father, Otis Jones and mother Sarah Hinkle Jones. After Gerald’s father retired from military service, the family moved back home to Montgomery, AL. Gerald’s amazing journey was filled with love, caring friendships, dedication, and service with promises made and promises kept. God placed a Calling on Gerald’s life and he served it tirelessly until he was called home to be with the Lord. His life was filled with a host of accomplishments. He was the first African-American Nephrologist in the state of Alabama.
Early days of education, graduation from Sidney Lanier High School. A graduate of Auburn University at Montgomery with a B.S. degree in Physical Science (1980). Gerald went on to obtain his M.D. degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine (1984). After completing his internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis, Tennessee, he was accepted into a two-year Nephrology Fellow Program and began his subspecialty training. Upon completion, he obtained a Research Fellow in Nephrology from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Memphis, Tennessee. God sufficiently prepared Gerald to begin his life’s work, which would span 39 years in the practice of Medicine. Gerald’s career began in The Department of Emergency Medicine Regional Medical Center at Memphis, in Memphis, Tennessee, (1988).
Gerald returned home to Montgomery, Alabama, and joined the medical practice of Renal Associates of Montgomery with Dr. William L. McGuffin Jr. Gerald was one of the founding partners of Renal Associates of Montgomery which included Drs. William L. McGuffin Jr., Robert Hoit, Gerald V. Jones Sr., and Melanie Halverson. These four double board-certified Nephrologists along with staff worked tirelessly to make Renal Associates of Montgomery, a premier medical practice of kidney specialists in the state of Alabama. He was a partner at Renal Associates for thirty-three and one-half years. Gerald continued to work until his health required him to reluctantly retire in 2022.
Gerald was the recipient of many honors and served on various professional organizations, which include: Specialist in Clinical Hypertension, Medical Advisory Board for Alabama Organ Bank, Montgomery County Medical Society, American College of Physicians, American Society of Nephrology, Capital City Medical Society, Renal Physicians Association, American Society for Artificial Internal Organs, National Kidney Foundation Alabama Chapter, Scientific Committee, Past President National Kidney Foundation of Alabama and the International Society of Nephrology.
In addition to being a private practice partner at Renal Associates of Montgomery, Gerald cared for and touched the lives of many from communities worldwide. Locally he was affiliated with Baptist Medical Center Downtown (closed), Baptist Medical Center South, Jackson Hospital, Lloyd Noland Long Term Care at Jackson, Baptist Medical Center East, Health South Rehabilitation Hospital, Edge Regional Hospital, Troy, Alabama, L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital, Greenville, Alabama, consulting Nephrologist at V.A. Medical Center, Montgomery, Alabama, consulting Nephrologist Lister Hill Health Center, Montgomery, Alabama, Chairman Pharmacy and Therapeutic Committee, Montgomery Regional Medical Center, Clinical Instructor of Medicine-UAB Montgomery Internal Medicine Residency Program, and Medical Director FMC-Montgomery Dialysis Facility.
Some of Gerald’s Publications and Research included: 1. Jones, G.V., Wall, M., Williams, H.H., Sapir, G., and Cook, C.R: Modulation of plasma aldosterone concentration changes in extracellular (H+). 2. Jones, G.V., Wall B.M., Williams H.H., Presley, D. G., Sapir, D., Coo, C.R.: Modulation of Plasma Aldosterone by Physiological change in Hydrogen Ion Concentration. Am. J. Physiol. 262: R269R275, 1992. 3. Cooke, C. R., Wall, B.M., Jones, V., Presley, D.G., Shore, L. Reversible Vasopressin Deficiency in Severe Hypernatremia. American Journal Kidney Disease, Vol. 22, No. 1, 1993, pp 44-52. 4. Causes of Hyperchloremic Acidosis During Treatment of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (unpublished data). Barry M. Wall, M.D., Gerald V. Jones, M.D., Edith Kaminski, M.D., Joseph N. Fisher, M.D., Abbas E. Kitabchi, Ph.D., M.D., C. Robert Cooke, M.D.
Gerald’s finest role in life was the love he gave to his family. He was committed to touching the lives of all who knew him. He was never too busy to listen or for a conversation. Gerald was admired and respected, often serving as a mentor for others.
On November 14, 2023, at his home, God called Gerald and he answered the call. It was a beautiful and peaceful transition. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otis and Sarah Jones, and his sister Renee’ B. Jones Temple, and brother Reginald V. Jones Sr. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife Janice, and children Gabrielle, Garrett, Brandon, Van, and Keiven. Special granddaughter Keziah. Sisters Jacqueline Peterson, Michele Storrs, and Wilma Walker. Brothers Carlton L. Jones, and Fred(Faye) Dickerson. Sister-in-laws Eloise Nearing, Edna Foxhall, Angela Wilson. Brother-in-law Cleveland Wilson. One Aunt, Shirley Walker. One Uncle, Willie James Walker Jr. He leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Special family member Lorene Davis and family. The entire staff of Renal Associates of Montgomery. He will be missed by his family, friends, the patients he served, and the community.
There are truly no words……….
Funeral Services will be held at Hutchinson Missionary Baptist Church, 860 East Grove Street on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Cameron Thomas officiating. Public viewing at Ross-Clayton Funeral Home on Monday, November 27, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.
Posted online on November 24, 2023
Published in Montgomery Advertiser