Jim Jones (left) with DOT Secretary Mineta
James “Jim” David El-Rachiem Jones, 79, White Plains, Maryland, died in Ashburn, Virginia of a gastrointestinal infection on August 14, 2024.
Jim was born in Dover, New Jersey, to Eula Lee Rambo El-Rachiem and Jacques El-Rachiem, and was raised by his stepfather, Eddie Jones, Sr. in Morristown, New Jersey. He graduated from Morristown High School in 1963 before earning the degree of Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Howard University in 1967, where he was a proud member of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity. In 1972, he earned the degree of Master of Business Administration from Harvard University, becoming one of the first Black men to do so.
Afterwards, Jim lived a life of service to his Church, his community, his family and friends. Jim enjoyed a distinguished career in legislative and governmental affairs, both nationally and locally, for several decades. Over the course of this career, he worked in the Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation and later as Legislative Representative for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in the bistate agency’s Washington Office. He retired from the Port Authority after nearly 22 years’ service. Jim also was a lecturer in marketing at Southeastern University.
Jim served as Senior Warden at St. Paul’s Rock Creek Episcopal Church, and as the Chairman of Rock Creek Cemetery, whose history and preservation were two of his greatest passions. Jim loved to sing and was a member of the Choir at St. Paul’s. He also served as Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair for the Diocese of Washington under the leadership of Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde at the National Cathedral. For several years, Jim participated in Walking Town DC, and he hosted tourists visiting St. Paul’s Rock Creek Church and the Cemetery, one of the most historic and popular tour sites in Washington. He received several honors, both big and small, including ones from the City of Louisville, Kentucky; the DC Commission for Women, the Royal Netherlands Embassy, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and a special commendation from the 106th Congress of the United States of America for his service and passing the landmark aviation legislation, the AIR-21 Act, in 2005.
Jim was a dedicated husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was preceded in death by his mother Eula, his father Jacques, stepfather Eddie Sr., and his brother Lance Jones. He is survived by his wife Shirley, his daughter Kelly (Ren Hayes), his son Rachiem (Dennis Orfei), his brother Eddy Jones (Clarece) and his sister Kathy Barnes-Najeeullah (Saleem), as well as many other beloved family and friends.