Dear Editor, In the past, the Morgan Hill Times did stories on
local artist Greg Jones. He and his family moved to Morgan Hill in
the late ’70s. He attended Nordstom Elementary School, Martin
Murphy Middle School and Live Oak High School, where he played
soccer, baseball and basketball. He left Morgan Hill to live
briefly in San Jose before returning to San Martin until he left
the area in the 1990s.
Morgan Hill man realizes dreams despite insidious disease
Dear Editor,
In the past, the Morgan Hill Times did stories on local artist Greg Jones. He and his family moved to Morgan Hill in the late ’70s. He attended Nordstom Elementary School, Martin Murphy Middle School and Live Oak High School, where he played soccer, baseball and basketball. He left Morgan Hill to live briefly in San Jose before returning to San Martin until he left the area in the 1990s.
After your last story, Greg published several additional graphic novel comic books. He had a showing of his comic books and art at the San Francisco Comic Convention. He also set up his own comic book store in Marina. He always said he wanted to be an example to the younger generation, and he wanted them to know that if they worked hard, even if it takes longer than they expect, they can realize their dreams.
One thing Greg never told anyone was that at 18 he was diagnosed with Schizophrenia Bipolar Disorder. He battled the disease the rest of his life.
I encouraged him to share this, knowing the pain and suffering he endured while still realizing his dream would be an inspiration to others. He never did. His desire was to share his stories through his comic books and to reach as many people as possible. They were stories of good conquering evil and right vs. wrong. They were also based on his real life struggles of hope vs. defeat. His goal was to help mankind see the “bigger picture.”
In 2001, while vacationing in Mexico, he met the love of his life, and together they shared many years full of love and adventure.
Greg passed away June 11, 2009 at the age of 41.
Family and friends saw him as a man of love and wisdom. They will miss this real life super hero. He not only realized his dreams for his comic books, he was an artist, writer, inker, songwriter, poet and helped those in need. He touched many lives and his life told the story of living a fulfilling life in spite of the insidious disease. Well done Gregory, our real-life super hero, and may your journeys continue.
The family would like to hear from anyone who knew Greg and would like to share their memories or condolences. Contact: The Family of Greg Jones, 305 Vineyard Town Center, #230, Morgan Hill, CA 95037.
Linda Jones-Babb, San Martin
A voice for his times
Dear Editor,
Those in this craft say journalism is the first draft of history. For a generation of Americans, Walter Cronkite provided the narration of that history. If you are younger than 35, you probably never saw Walter Cronkite on the CBS Evening News. He anchored the program from 1962 to 1991. It was a time that color widely came to television. It was the time before cell phones, before cable, before the Internet, before e-mail and Twitter and Facebook. It was the time that Morgan Hill went from a small farming community to a Bay Area suburb. It was the time of three channels. It was the time of the Kennedy assassination and Vietnam. It was the time of the King assassination, landing on the moon and Watergate. It was a time when 80 percent of America got its news from the network’s evening newscasts. Television was the hearth that brought us together as the world was in many ways tearing itself apart. To look back and see the clips of Cronkite announcing the death of President Kennedy or his coverage of the space program are wonderful snippets from a career of many decades.
Like many who toiled in the vineyards of journalism beginning in the 1960s and 1970s, I aspired to be the next David Brinkley or the next Walter Cronkite. I worked hard and was fortunate to see my dream become reality, not as the next anchorman, but in working shoulder to shoulder with them. As an ABC News writer and producer, I did not work directly with Cronkite but I met him many times. The first was at Cape Canaveral, where the network’s makeshift studios sit side-by-side near the large Vehicle Assembly Building. Years later, I would see him at journalism conventions. While he may not have always remembered my name, he always offered a handshake, a smile and a warm greeting. Like many in television news, when the cameras turned off, Walter loved a good dinner and a drink with his colleagues and competitors along with the storytelling that accompanied the evening.
Cronkite set the standard for television news and as competitors, we constantly tried to out-think him and produce a better broadcast. It was impossible to do on a consistent basis. When people say that there won’t ever be another Walter Cronkite, they’re right. Walter was a man of his time and times have changed. I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing, but there was something reassuring when he factually signed off each night, “that’s the way it is.”
Good night Walter. And thank you for telling us the way it was.
David Cohen, a member of the Times’ Editorial Board and a former journalist
Pace is more than just a stroll
Dear Editor,
On behalf of the Morgan Hill Walking/Hiking Group, I would like to say we appreciate the announcement about our group in the Local Digest of the Morgan Hill Times. As a result of getting the word out, new walkers are showing up and contacting us. Walking is such a great way to exercise, have an enjoyable time and meet new people. The title you gave our announcement, “Take a stroll” isn’t quite accurate (although I really like the word stroll!). We walk at a moderate pace resulting in elevated heart rates. What we do is truly aerobic exercise. For people who are not used to walking, we offer encouragement and suggestions on how to get started on a program. We want to share the word that it will likely improve your health and is a life-enhancing experience.
Marie Lamb, Morgan Hill
