Bruce Anthony Jones, Sr., affectionately known as “Bubba”, earned his wings on Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at Laurelhurst Village; he was 63 years old. Born on August 11, 1957 in Memphis, TN, Bubba moved to Portland, OR in 1961, just after the birth of his only brother, John Ivory Jones. He was raised by his mother, Savannah Lee Jones, a single Mom whom he revered as his hero.
Bubba grew up in the Villa in North Portland, where he attended Boise-Eliot, Portsmouth, and graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1975, where he played football, basketball and baseball. He attended Clark College in Vancouver, WA and Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, where he played basketball and baseball.
A diehard sports fan, it is no surprise that Bubba became a basketball coach, earning him the love and respect of generations of players in Portland and beyond. He loved cultivating young talent, instilling in them a sense of morals and integrity, both on and off of the court. His career stretched far and wide—from basketball camps, to nearly 20 years as a coach for Portland’s Pro-Am league, and several semi-professional teams in Oregon.
Bubba’s first love was his family. He was a devoted father of two to Bruce, Jr. and Erica, whom he co-parented in partnership and in friendship, with their mother, Alva Lee Houston. Bubba took pride coaching his son’s basketball teams, chaperoning field trips, going on family trips, and taking his kids and their friends out to eat, to the movies, and to countless sporting events. He was selfless in his pursuit to be the father that he never had; indeed, he was a surrogate dad to many in the community.
Bubba was known for his charisma, sense of humor, storytelling, compassion, and his ability to talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere, for however long. It was many of these qualities that also made him an incredible husband. Bubba met Donna Anfield through a mutual friend in December 2007, and they were married on August 10, 2010. Through nearly eleven years of marriage, Bubba and Donna enjoyed several trips to the Caribbean, and built a lifetime of memories with their blended families, friends and Church community.
Bubba was a relentless optimist who touched countless lives—he saw the best in everyone, even when they struggled to see the best in themselves. Bubba lived his life to the absolute fullest, and he was the truest embodiment of his favorite saying: “It takes no ability to hustle.”
Bubba was preceded in death by his mother, Savannah Lee Jones; his aunt, Willa B. Baron; and his niece, Joyce Marie Jones. Bubba is survived by his wife, Donna Anfield Jones, and his two children, Bruce Anthony Jones Jr., of Portland, OR, (and his daughter, Karis), and Erica Nicole Jones, of London, England; three bonus children, Torri Kowaleski (and her husband, Christian), Tierra “TT” Kendrick (and her children, Sir and Lady), Terence “Mister” Kendrick, (and his children, Tru, King and Keona); and his brother, John Ivory “Jonari” Jones. Bubba is also survived by a host of cousins and extended family, and far too many friends and associates to name, whom he cherished dearly.
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