Family marks anniversary of Wendell teen's death with foundation

Jones was hit and killed while waiting for his school bus on Sept. 23, 2014. His memory will live on through an athletic foundation in his name.

“Whether it’s football, soccer, basketball; if we can help a child, that’s what the goal is,” said Jones’s aunt, Rena Warren.

“I know this is what he would have wanted, for me to continue on his athletic passion through his peers,” said Jones’ mother, Marie Jones “He loved the game, but he also loved his classmates and his teammates.”

Family and friends held a vigil Wednesday night to mark the anniversary of Jones’ death. His mother says that the past year has been especially hard.

“The love and support I have received from the community and the prayers has made it bearable. Just bearable,” said Marie Jones

The KJ Athletic Memorial Foundation will help other children who share Jones’ passion for sports. They will know what the boy meant to his family and to the community.

“He played with all of his heart, all the time,” said former football league commissioner Amanda Cartwright. “He always gave you more than you asked for.”

One thing everyone said about Jones was that he had a big heart. His family decided to donate his heart after his death so that it could help someone else.