Kenneth Leon Jones was a 1967 graduate of Kashmere Gardens Jr Sr High School; he was a multi-talented stand out student-athlete in football and baseball. Kenny was the son of Richard and Geraldine Jones and had a blended family of 13 siblings. He got involved with athletics at an early age as a member of the Ryon Sports Baseball Organization coached by Mr. Herman “Boola” Smith. The Ryon Sports was a major contributor to Kashmere baseball in the 60’s. At Kashmere Kenny would earn (7) varsity letters, four in baseball and three in football. He was fortunate to play for two legendary coaches, Billie Matthews (football) and Henry Stevenson (baseball). His position in football was defensive end on Coach Matthews’s 1966 team who many considered the most talented defensive unit in Kashmere Garden’s football history. Kenny also was the punter for the Rams team.
He was the Uncle of student-athletes Dyain and Michael Frazier of B.C. Elmore High School. Comment from his nephew: Dyain and I were trying to impress him in our backyard; Dyain was throwing hard as Kenny was in batter box. Kenny told him “better put a hook (curve ball) on that thing because I will knock it to the scrap yard. The following night at Finnegan Park, I witness him playing with the Ryon Sports against the “Milinko Bears” ace pitcher he hit a fastball into the scrap yard behind the Finnegan Park.
As successful as he was in football, his baseball career was pure greatness. Kenny along with (8) other Ryon Sports players won (3) district championships, was 1965 State Champs, 1966 State Runner-up’s and he was a (3) time All District selection. His senior season Kashmere had to reload as they graduated several sluggers from the previous season. Coach Henry Stevenson brilliant baseball mind knew he had to find a way to get more hitters in the lineup for the 1967 season. He approached Kenny with the idea of moving him to second base so they could insert a left-hander (William Denson) at first base. Following the 1967 season Kenny and his teammate Joseph Clayton Gordon (shortstop) was signed by the Cincinnati Reds making the decision to forgo college offers and turn professional.
After returning to Houston he attended Texas Southern University and helped out with the baseball team as a statistician before gaining employment as a cameraman for (ABC) Channel 13. After leaving Channel 13 he became a Master Electrician. Kenneth departed his earthly life on February 13, 2013, so ironic it was on that day that Kashmere Former Athletes Association was established.
