Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
Harry Jones Jr., 96, a former Kansas City Star reporter, died July 22, 2026, of multiple myeloma.
Born and raised in Kansas City, Jones was a general assignment reporter for The Star during the summers of 1950 and 1952 while a college student. After college, he served three and a half years in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Japan, then returned to the newspaper full time in 1956.
He remained at The Star until 1980. During his journalism career he earned awards from the Overseas Press Club, American Bar Association, American Civil Liberties Union, National Association of Social Works and more. In his later years, he became a prolific poet.
In addition to his son, J. Harry Jones III, he is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth and Nancy; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; many more relatives; and even more close friends.
