Educator
Charles H. Jones
Royal Oak Kimball Teacher and Coach 1957-1998
Athletic Director for Royal Oak School District
Member of Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame
Inducted into Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame, 2014
Charles H. Jones was born with a twin brother in Toledo, Ohio. The story is told that his grandmother put the two new-borns in shoe boxes and placed them in a closet with a light bulb to create an incubator-like atmosphere for their survival. And, survive they did! Charles, and his brother, grew up to be outstanding athletes in several different sports and earn bachelor degrees in secondary education from the University of Toledo. Charles would also earn a master’s degree in administration and counseling from Wayne State University and a master’s in mathematics at the University of Detroit. He spent 41 years in the Royal Oak schools employed as a teacher of mathematics at Kimball High School, a coach and an administrator of athletics.
Charles spent many hours beyond his contractual obligations supporting students and his community. He and a group of parents were often found after hours working on projects to improve the facilities at Kimball. Chuck is an active member and leader of his church and a former member of the board of directors of the Royal Oak Schools Credit Union. He has also served for many years as a mentor and fund raiser for Royal Oak Youth Assistance.
Mr. Jones has been very active in state and national organizations associated with athletics. He has served as president of the Oakland County Athletic Directors Association as well as President of the State High School Coaches Association. Organizations at the State, Regional and National levels have issued their highest awards to Mr. Jones recognizing his “outstanding leadership, meritorious achievements, noteworthy support and continuing commitment and service to interscholastic athletics”.
Chuck Jones has been inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame and given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Michigan Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. In 2006, the school district, in appreciation for all Chuck has done for the students in Royal Oak, dedicated the gym here at the high school in his honor.
Now, across from the Charles H. Jones gymnasium you will find the picture of Charles H. Jones, recognized as a member of the Royal Oak High School Hall of Fame.