Leroy “Bo” Jones, a former standout athlete and coach, died Monday, May 10, 2021, at his South Richmond home surrounded by loved ones.

Mr. Jones was 72.

His son, Bo Jones Jr., said Mr. Jones had been in failing health.

Mr. Jones grew up in Oregon Hill and became a star running back at Maggie L. Walker High School, where he played for Coach Fred “Cannonball” Cooper, and at Virginia State University under Dr. Walter Lovett. He was a key component of numerous standout teams as a Green Dragon and VSU Trojan.

Between high school and college, Mr. Jones served in the U.S. Army in Germany, where he competed in football and basketball for his military installation.

His coaching career of more than 40 years was mostly at the combined Jeffer- son-Huguenot-Wythe High School, where he was an assistant, and Huguenot High School, where he served as head coach. Mr. Jones also coached briefly at Benedictine.

The long list of college-bound athletes he helped guide included his son, Bo Jr., Huguenot’s all-time scorer; Isaiah Morris, who played in the NBA; Pete Woolfolk; Vernon Hamilton; Raymond Neblett; Ted “Fats” Berry; Sean Miller; David Terrell, who later played in the NFL; Ricky Stokes; and Mark Robinson.

Away from the gymnasium, Mr. Jones was very involved with Second Baptist Church in South Richmond, the Richmond Food Pantry and various outreach activities.

Among those he came in contact with was Richmond educator Rodney Robinson, the 2019 National Teacher of the Year.

“Bo Jones was a giant in the RVA community,” Mr. Robinson said. “His input and legacy will live on with his players and students. He always found time to meet with young teachers like myself, offering advice, plenty of laughs and encouraging words.”

Mr. Jones was a longtime member of his church choir, despite suffering from a slight speech impediment.

Sometimes it is a person’s imperfections that become their most lovable qualities. That was certainly the case with Mr. Jones.

“Dad really couldn’t sing, but you couldn’t tell him that,” his son said. “He just loved being in the choir.”

After church on Sundays, Mr. Jones was always in front of the television set cheering on his beloved Washington Football Team. His affinity for the team led to many good-natured debates with other family members and friends who leaned more toward the archrival Dallas Cowboys.

Mr. Jones survived a horrific injury as a child to excel in life. At age 12, he was shot in the stomach during an altercation in Oregon Hill.

“He wasn’t supposed to make it and he was in the hospital seven to eight months,” his son said. “He was left with a long scar from mid-stomach to his lower chest.”

Some of Mr. Jones’ best friends in coaching were his rivals, Robert Booker at George Wythe High School and Jay Johnson at Thomas Jefferson High School.

During the combined Jefferson-Huguenot-Wythe era, Mr. Booker was head coach with Mr. Jones and Mr. Johnson as aides.

Following the breakup of the combined schools in 1986, Mr. Booker was coach at Wythe, Mr. Johnson at Thomas Jefferson and Mr. Jones at Huguenot.

“I remember them coming to the house at night, smoking cigars and talking basketball,” his son recalled. “They’d be in there for hours.”

Mr. Jones also was close to Coach George Lancaster, who preceded him at Huguenot before moving to Highland Springs High School in Henrico County.

In addition to his son, Bo Jr., Mr. Jones is survived by his wife, Cynthia; son, Ryan; and daughter, Kacina Clark.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete.