Richard Jones, president and CEO of the Lodi Boys and Girls Club, was named to the Lodi Community Hall of Fame. (Jennifer M. Howell/News-Sentinel)

Lodi Hall of Fame

Richard Jones honored for commitment to youth

Richard Jones has 11 children and 26 grandchildren. But his family doesn't stop there. He considers the 7,000 children at the Lodi Boys and Girls Club to be his family, too. For the past 16 years, Jones has been the president and CEO of the Lodi Boys and Girls Club, where he enjoys making a difference in the lives of children.

"I've hoped (that) I've touched a lot of lives. It's very rewarding to me," he said.

For his contributions to the community in community service, Jones was named to the Lodi Community Hall of Fame.

Other inductees this year include Bertram Bulkin, a retired director of scientific space programs, for his contributions in government; Jerry Fry, manager of Mohr-Fry Ranches, Inc., for contributions in agriculture; Carol Marvel, retired librarian who has served in various community organizations, for community service; Barbara McWilliams, former owner of Poser's TV and Radio, for community service; and Guy Wakefield, a former high school teacher, who was chosen posthumously for his contributions in education.

When Jones took over as CEO and president, the Lodi Boys and Girls Club had only one operating site, with a budget of $250,000. There was a staff of only eight. There were 600 children.

Since 1993, the club has acquired seven more sites and the budget has grown to $1.4 million. The staff has grown to 70. And, the club now serves 7,000 children.

Jones said he couldn't have done it without the support of the community.

"I think Lodi is a great community," he said. "We wouldn't be able to do this for the kids without community support."

Along with his daily duties at the club, Jones has dedicated his life to being a father. Though he never married, he became an adoptive father to 11 children through the years. All of them but one were boys. He was also a part of California's foster care program, where he fostered over six children.

For Edwin Cotton, one of his sons, life in the Jones' household with 10 boys was a very moving experience.

"There was always someone there to bounce things off of," he said. "Family was very important and we enjoyed the activities we did as a family."

Following in his father's footsteps, Cotton became employed by the Boys and Girls Club in Sacramento. He likes that Jones is there for both fatherly and professional advice at the same time. He marvels that his father is able to keep everything going.

"If I could accomplish a quarter of what he has done, I'd feel really good about it," he said.

Other areas of community service Jones has been involved in include the Tokay Rotary Club, where he served as president, and the Lodi Unified School District Board of Trustees, where he currently serves as vice-president.

Barbara Brovelli, who has worked with Jones on the Lodi Boys and Girls Club board, said she considers Jones the cream of the crop. Through his efforts, Brovelli feels Jones has given a lot back to the community regarding children and diversity.

"It doesn't matter what race, color or creed you are; he is really into educating our kids. We need that today," she said.

As part of a family of four boys and three girls, Jones was raised in Toledo, Ohio. He received a bachelor of science degree in education from Central State University in 1967. He then received a bachelor of arts degree in management from Bradley University in 1982. He was employed by several branches of the Boys and Girls Club until relocating to Lodi in 1993.

Being involved in the organization that sponsors the Hall of Fame, Jones feels honored to be a part of the group chosen for 2008.

"There is nothing more important to me than mentoring these men and women," he said. "Never in my wildest imagination would I have thought I would be receiving this. It's truly an honor."

The Hall of Fame is sponsored by the Lodi Boys and Girls Club. Inductees will be honored at a dinner and program scheduled for Oct. 11 at the Boys and Girls Club, 1050 S. Stockton St. Tickets are $45 and maybe purchased by calling the club at 334-2697.