And the Winners Are |An Honor Unlike Any Other |
Lifetime Achievement Award | Nominees | Chairman's Message

Above: Mike Skarr, a fellow member of the Harris Bank Board, presented the 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award to Frank Slocumb. Ray Jones will be honored with the same award at the Chamber's Small Business of the Year Awards on May 8th.

Long time Naperville resident and local Funeral Director, Ray Jones, has been named as the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient by the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce as part of the 2009 Small Business of the Year Awards. Jones was chosen for this honor based on his extensive community involvement and his dedication to providing compassionate service as a local funeral director to the Naperville area.

Ray has served as a licensed funeral director since 1966. He is a graduate of Worsham College of Mortuary Science, and began his career at Friedrich Funeral Home in Naperville in 1965. Ray purchased Friedrich Funeral Home in 1977 and Overman Funeral Home in 1982. Later the Jones name was added to both locations to reflect the Jones family ownership.

Jones' commitment to the Naperville community is demonstrated by the many organizations he is and has been engaged in including, but not limited to, Director of First Community Bank of Naperville, Commissioner of the Naperville Police and Fire Board, Founder and Chairman of the St. Patrick's Residence "Gold Key Gala," Edward Hospital Foundation Board Member, Founder and Chairman of the SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church's "Light the Way," Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member, Naperville United Way Fund Drive Board Member and Chairman, Naperville Heritage YMCA Board Member, President of Little Friends Community and Member of the Naperville Noon Rotary Club.

Jones has sponsored the Naperville Little League Team for over thirty years and supports various other local not-for-profit organizations including the DuPage Children's Museum, SS Peter & Paul Church and School, Misercordia Home of Chicago, Loaves & Fishes, DuPage PADS, Naperville Community Outreach, and Naperville Cares to name a few.

Actively involved in St. Patrick's Residence of Naperville, Mr. Jones is the Founder and Chairman of the St. Patrick's Residence Gala. As a member of the steering committee, he was an integral part of the relocation of St. Patrick's residence relocation from Joliet to Naperville and currently serves on the Board of Directors.

Ray resides in Naperville with his wife Marilyn and son Dan who is attending Marquette University. Ray is a longtime member and usher at SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church.