Monday, December 29, 2008

Obituary: Thomas Lloyd Jones


Thomas Lloyd Jones is Dead

University Official, Former Central High School Head Succumbs at Age of 60

Illness of Two Weeks Takes Life of U.W. High School Relations Director; Served Four Years as Principal Here, 17 Years at University; Came of Prominent Wisconsin Family

Prof. Thomas Lloyd Jones, 60, Nakoma, member of the University of Wisconsin Department of education for the last 17 years and for four years principal of Madison Central high school, died at a Madison hospital about 6 a.m. today.

He entered the hospital early last week for an operation for the removal of gall stones, but his weakened condition would not permit it.

Since that time he has steadily grown weaker and his death had been expected almost hourly for the last two days.

Kin Nationally Known
Professor Jones, whose lifetime was devoted to educational work, came of a large family which has produced a line of nationally known men and women in the fields of education, religion, art and letters.

He was born Dec. 19, 1870 at Hillside, son of John Lloyd Jones and grandson of Richard Lloyd Jones, a Welshman who settled near Spring Green in 1844. The five sons and two daughters of pioneer Richard all grew up to establish homes in the community.

Jenkin Lloyd Jones, famous as a preacher and lecturer, was an uncle of Professor Jones. Chester Lloyd Jones, professor in the commerce school at the university; Richard Lloyd Jones, former publisher of The State Journal; and Frank Lloyd Wright, architect, are cousins.

Central Principal
For four years Mr. Jones was principal of Madison Central high school, but for the past 17 years he has been a member of the University of Wisconsin faculty. While he was an associate professor of education, his work was largely outside the classroom.

As head of the department of high school relations, he was chief medium of contact between the university and the secondary schools of the state.

He was an advocate of the belief that high schools should train their graduates along lines that would fit them to tackle life's problems without the absolute necessity of higher education.