After father's death, Jones ready for some normalcy

Tennessee men's basketball associate head coach Tony Jones returns to the gym today for the first time in more than two weeks looking for some semblance of normalcy.

"I've missed the staff, the players, the secretaries and the camaraderie at the University of Tennessee,'' Jones said Monday night. "I'm looking forward to being near and close to people I care about.

"The last two weeks have been a living hell.''

Jones' father, Clarence "Sonny" Jones Jr., was found murdered in Detroit on Aug. 18, one day after being reported missing.

Tony Jones left UT and went to Michigan in search of his father on Aug. 17, when his father was not present for his sister's birthday that day.

Police arrested and charged Eugene Peguies, 19, of Detroit on Aug. 22 and charged him with first-degree murder and felony murder. He was ordered held without bond in Wayne County (Mich.) Jail.

Affectionately known as "Sonny J," Jones' father was performing a civic act, as he commonly did throughout his years, checking on a friend's house when he was apparently ambushed.

Sonny J. had met the friend whose house he was looking in on while delivering Meals on Wheels.

"My dad was an unbelievable community servant, and he was a great provider to five children and 22 grandchildren,'' Tony Jones said. "He showered all of us with love and affection.

"To be taken the way he was doesn't seem to be fair. But you have to put your trust in a higher authority, and I get great comfort from my faith believing in that higher authority.''

Jones said he takes pride in the fact that Detroit's City Council and Mayor have saluted his father as a hero, with a proclamation to honor him. Sonny J's obituary has been made an official part of the City of Detroit's records.

Further, the Jones family has established a scholarship fund in his name for Detroit Southwestern High School, where the family attended.

The Sonny J Community Scholarship Fund will give five graduating seniors who have exhibited outstanding characteristics and community service $1,000 each.

Tony Jones served as head JV and assistant varsity coach at Detroit Southwestern 1986-91. Jones helped groom future NBA players Jalen Rose, Howard Eisley and Voshon Leonard while there.

"I wouldn't wish this circumstance on my worst enemy,'' Jones said. "However, the comforting words, text messages and deeds that have been done have helped me and my family get through this and deal with the tragedy.''

Jones said the family's church was overflowing with more than 600 people at the funeral on Friday - what would have been Sonny J's 87th birthday.

The University of Tennessee and the Knoxville community were represented at the funeral by head coach Bruce Pearl, assistants Jason Shay and Steve Forbes, director of basketball operations Ken Johnson, Jones' agent Jared Karnes, UT staff member Mark Pancratz, player Scotty Hopson and personal friend Dr. John Verble.

UT fans wanting to support the Sonny J Community Scholarship Fund can send donations to P.O. Box 950, Lincoln Park, Mich, 48146.

"I need a level of normalcy in my life, and I need to get back to a routine just for my sanity,'' Jones said. "Obviously there will be times when I'll think of all the great memories me and my dad shared together.

"I'll also feel a bit of anger about the circumstances surrounding his death, but I know he's in a better place now, and he'll be looking down on me and telling me to do what I need to do to be successful.''