J. Harry Jones Jr., 96, a former Kansas City Star reporter, died on July 22, 2026, of multiple myeloma. He was born on July 12, 1930 and raised in Kansas City, MO, where he graduated from Pembroke-Country Day in 1948. His father, J. Harry Jones, was a reporter for the Kansas City Star for 43 years. His son, J. Harry Jones III, was a reporter for the San Diego Union-Tribune for 33 years. He leaves behind his best friend for over 65 years, Charles Hammer of Kansas City, and Harry’s “ladylove” of the past three years, Leota Ester.