Melvin Jones (1879-1961)

You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else - Melvin Jones

Melvin Jones was born on January 13, 1879 in Fort Thomas, Arizona, the son of a United States Army captain who commanded a troop of scouts. Later, his father was transferred and the family moved east. As a young man, Melvin Jones made his home in Chicago, Illinois, became associated with an insurance firm and in 1913 formed his own agency.

He soon joined the Business Circle, a businessmen's luncheon group, and was shortly elected secretary. This group was one of many at that time devoted solely to promoting the financial interests of their membership. Because of their limited appeal, they were destined to disappear. Melvin Jones, however, had other plans. "What if these men," he asked, "who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?" Thus, at his invitation, delegates from men's clubs met in Chicago to lay the groundwork for such an organization and on June 7, 1917, Lions Clubs International was born.

Melvin Jones eventually abandoned his insurance agency to devote himself full time to Lions at International Headquarters in Chicago. It was under his dynamic leadership that Lions clubs earned the prestige necessary to attract civic-minded members. The association's founder was also recognized as a leader by those outside the association. One of his greatest honors was in 1945 when he represented Lions Clubs International as a consultant in San Francisco, California, at the organization of the United Nations.

Melvin Jones, the man whose personal code – "You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else" – became a guiding principle for public-spirited people the world over, died June 1, 1961 at 82 years of age.

2012 Melvin Jones Recipient: Larry Jones

Grand Junction Lions Club: Melvin Jones Award Recipient - Larry Jones

The Grand Junction Lions Club is extremely proud to honor one of very few members to receive the Melvin Jones Award. Larry Jones, a local Grand Junction Lions Club member was awarded the Melvin Jones Award by his peers on May 8th, 2012 and on behalf of all of the Lions in Grand Junction, Colorado and world wide - Thank you Larry!

Previous Melvin Jones Recipients:

We honor the below Grand Junction Lions Members who have earned our most honored title, a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award. Thank you for your incredible hard work, integrity and for all your contributions.

  NAME YEAR
1 Al Look 1986
2 David Flatt 1991
3 Bob Collins 1993
4 Al Cornelison 1994
5 Russ Soderquist 2001
6 Kevin Wagner 2004
7 Larry Jones 2012