Ivan Joseph Jones, Sr., affectionately known worldwide as "Boogaloo Joe" and warmly to his community as simply Joe, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, May 15, 2026, at the age of 85. He passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones he so dearly cherished.

Born on November 1, 1940, in Montgomery, West Virginia, Joe was the son of the late Ivan and Annie Jones (nee Marshall). While he was still a young child, his family relocated to Port Norris, New Jersey. As a young boy attending Fairfield Township school, Joe took great pride in participating in the Safety Patrol. As a teenager, he showed his athletic prowess on the Varsity Football Team at Bridgeton High School. Though he left high school early to answer the call of duty, he proudly earned his GED in 1959.

On December 2, 1958, at the age of 18, Private (PVT) Jones began his service to the nation by joining the United States Army. Assigned to the Army Signal Corps as a Heavy Vehicle Driver, his extraordinary, self-taught guitar skills quickly caught the attention of his peers and superiors alike. His gifted finger strums afforded him the unique opportunity to entertain troops from the ranks of Privates to Generals, allowing him to evade some of the more daunting tasks typically assigned to lower enlisted personnel and eventually securing him a role as his Commander's Driver. Promoted to Private First Class (PFC), he served at Fort Huachuca and took a tour in Puerto Rico. He was honorably discharged from military service in 1962 at the rank of Specialist (SPC).

Joe’s musical journey began in 1956 when he taught himself to play on a three-string guitar given to him by his father. Inspired by Tal Farlow and Billy Butler, he became deeply captivated by the R&B juke-joint jazz that Butler popularized with organist Bill Doggett. Following his military service, Joe dedicated himself entirely to his music career.

He released his first solo album, “Joe Jones”, with Prestige Records in 1967, and permanently earned the legendary moniker “Boogaloo Joe” following his landmark 1969 record of the same title. Between 1968 and 1973, he recorded eight (8) soul-jazz albums for Prestige, blending popular cover tunes with his own funk-driven original compositions. With a total of nine (9) albums, renowned music critic Stewart Mason later noted that his 1975 album “Sweetback” (originally released on the Joka label) stood as his “most furious, frenetic, funky, and in-demand record.”

As Ivan “Boogaloo Joe” Jones, his musical footprint became global. His songs have been featured on worldwide radio, modern streaming platforms, television series (such as “The L Word”), and film soundtracks (the 2010 German movie “Soul Kitchen”). His enduring legacy continues to be celebrated through Wikipedia, Discogs, jazz forums, and social media platforms by generations of adoring fans.

Beyond his music career, Joe was a hardworking and dedicated provider, spending time employed with Johnson & Johnson, and working for a lengthy number of years as a skilled Slot Technician in Atlantic City at the former Trump Castle and Trump Marina.

After giving his heart to the Lord, Joe transformed his musical gift, playing the guitar solely unto the Glory of God. For decades, his faithful, passionate strumming was a cornerstone of worship services at Glory Tabernacle in Bridgeton, New Jersey. He served devotedly under the direction of the late Bishop Arvin J. Hall, Sr., and later continued his vibrant ministry under his beloved spiritual leader and brother in Christ, Bishop David A. Hadley, Sr. His soulful, gospel-tinged lead guitar work was captured beautifully on the 1999 album “Glory in Praise” by Bishop Hall and the Glory Tabernacle Choir and Praise Singers, which highlighted Joe's stunning solo on the track “I Can Do It.”

Joe spent the best years of his life rooted deeply in the Word of God, constantly speaking encouragement to everyone around him. An avid reader and devoted student of the Holy Bible, his dedication to the Gospel culminated in a degree from the University of Biblical Studies in Bethany, Oklahoma.

At home, Joe was the ultimate family man—always ready with a warm smile, a funny joke, or a playful tickle. He was a master of grandparenthood: sneaking sips of soda pop to the grands, swishing soda in his mouth to make them laugh, keeping the freezer stocked with ice cream and the cabinets full of snacks under his golden rule that “kids should be kids and enjoy themselves.” A weekly pizza delivery was never more than a grandchild's wish away.

Joe found profound pleasure in ensuring his doting wife and family were happy and comfortable. A sharp researcher, he would spend hours scanning online, in local stores, and through mail circulars to find the absolute best deal on anything his family needed. In his downtime, he was a faithful Philadelphia Eagles fan ("Go Birds!") and loved rewatching his favorite films, including “Star Trek”, “The Greatest Story Ever Told”, “Patton”, and “Scarface”.

Joe lived his life dedicated to the Lord and his family. He truly was the epitome of “Live Ready” and spent his days encouraging everyone else to do the exact same.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan A. and Annie L. Jones (nee Marshall); his siblings, Sylvester Jones, Norris Jefferies, MSG (ret) Marshall Jones, and Phyllis Richardson (nee Jones); and his spiritual father and brother-in-love, Bishop Arvin J. Hall, Sr.

His beautiful legacy will live on through his surviving family:

Loving Wife: Linda M. Jones (nee Hoover) of Vineland, NJ.

Children: David Harrington (Tamara) of Franklinville, NJ; Dennise Jones of Glassboro, NJ; Herman Hoover (Michelle) of Millville, NJ; SGT (ret) Kesha Harris (nee Stocks) of Vineland, NJ; and SSG Ivan J. Jones, Jr. of Okinawa, Japan.

Siblings: Annie L. Hall (nee Jones), Beverly Armstead (nee Jones), Austin Jones (Hilda), Ivanetta Jones, and Anthony Jones (Susette); Beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters and brothers-in-love, and a host of nieces and nephews.

A life played beautifully, loved deeply, and lived ready in the service of the Lord.