died in St. Louis, Missouri on September 20, 2016. Philanthropy The Dennis M. Jones Family Foundation is a St. Louis, Missouri-based foundation with a mission to support initiatives which empower individuals to succeed in life, with a focus on providing scholarships to underprivileged students. It was founded in 2000, and since then, more than $35 million has been contributed to charitable causes including civic organizations, education, Marines & Veterans, fighting homelessness, fighting poverty, and many others. The largest cumulative donations include $4.8 million to Connections to Success, which helps ex-offenders develop job skills and land interviews, $3.8 million to Junior Achievement, $2.5 million to the St. Louis College of Pharmacy, $2.2 million to Forest Park Forever, and $2.0 million to the St. Louis Zoo. The foundation is focused heavily on promoting the growth and education of underprivileged children mainly through scholarships. It has contributed heavily to Saint Louis University, the Roman Catholic Foundation, and Ranken Technical College. Two recent programs include the Jones Scholars, 76 children who received full scholarships to attend four inner city Catholic schools (administered by the Roman Catholic Foundation and the Today and Tomorrow Educational foundation), and Ranken Technical College. The foundation was funded with 1,000,000 shares of King Pharmaceuticals and converted into cash through the public sales of the shares at $52 per share. Recognition Dennis Jones has been recognized throughout his life for achievements in business and civic involvement. Some of these awards include: EY Entrepreneur of the Year] (2006) which recognizes the endeavors of exceptional men and women who create the products and services that keep the worldwide economy moving forward Variety the Children's Charity of St. Louis Man of the Year (2004) which recognizes St. Louis philanthropists who play an active role in shaping the local community Junior Achievement St. Louis Business Hall of Fame Laureate which highlights the lives of St. Louis businessmen and women, who through their success in business and life have made St. Louis an outstanding community. Jones Pharma recognized as one of best performing stocks of the decade of the 1990s - Los Angeles Times. Dennis Jones rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on August 30, 2000. References Other sources Socha, Rudy & Darrow, Carolyn (2003). "Above and Beyond: Former Marines Conquer the Civilian World", p. 110. Turner Publishing, Paducha. King Pharmaceuticals merging with Jones Pharma in $3.4 Billion Deal St. Louis Business