In Memoriam
Jeffrey Fain Bone
March 29, 1965 - May 19, 2016
Jeff Fain Bone, former COO of the John Jay Institute passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2016 from complications related to a stroke. Jeff was a 14 year resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado and worked as a Management and Technology Consultant for eResources.
In 2006 a mutual friend introduced John Jay Institute President Alan Crippen to Jeff Bone. It was a wonderful meeting where each of them soon discovered that they had many mutual friends, common experiences, and a shared vision to change the leadership landscape of the country. That initial meeting began a long friendship and working relationship. Jeff joined the John Jay Institute in its pioneering days. No stranger to entrepreneurial endeavors or non-profit work, Jeff was perfectly cast to work with Crippen in starting the John Jay Institute.
Prior to joining the Institute, Jeff had worked in the Dot-com world where he successfully started Infomedia, a software company. He sold the company and worked for crosswalk.com leading the interactive services division during its rise as the only faith-based IPO ever on the NASDAQ. Jeff then served at the Chief Technology Officer for the American Bible Society where he pioneered the creation and industry adoption of Open Scripture Information Standard. He was later the COO of MOPS International in Denver, Colorado and then Strategic Advancement Officer for Prison Fellowship Ministries.
Crippen wooed Jeff away from Prison Fellowship Ministries to devote his creative talents and high energy in branding, marketing, and directing operations and fund-raising at the John Jay Institute. While at the Institute Jeff faithfully and diligently served the organization as its COO increasing its public profile and raising the monies to establish the work and begin its resident fellows program. Jeff steered the fledging organization through the treacherous shoals of the 2008 Recession and later directed its successful relocation to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Crippen said, "There would be no John Jay Institute without Jeff Bone. We are profoundly indebted to his faithful service, dedication, and vision for this organization. His work in the early days laid the foundation for our success. I am deeply grieved by the loss of my close friend and cherished colleague and wish all God's grace and consolation to his family in this tragedy."
Jeff was born on March 29, 1965 in Fort Payne, Alabama to Jimmy Fain Bone and Katherine (Smith) Bone. He graduated from Plainview High School in Rainsville, Alabama and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. He married Leta Sue Trinkle on May 24, 1986.
He is survived by his wife, Leta Sue; his five children: Jordan, Joseph (wife Mishaela), Patrick, Laura, and Lucy; his parents, Jimmy and Katherine Bone; his sister, Sarah Schmidt (husband Steve); his niece, Abby Schmidt; and his nephew, Jake Schmidt.
As Jeff was fond of saying, “Life is hard, and then you die.” His life was not always easy, but it was a good life—one that influenced and changed the lives around him. He was a man of deep convictions and great vision. He was a brilliant thinker, a gifted strategist and a wise listener. More importantly, Jeff was a tender-hearted husband and father, always strong, loving and faithful who believed in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection unto eternal life, through his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He did not die as those who have no hope but with confidence of life after life, after death.
Requiescat in pace, Jeff. You will be forever cherished in the hearts of those that knew and loved you. Those who share your faith in Christ await a joyous reunion in the next life.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 26, 2016 at Woodmen Valley Chapel — Stone Chapel, 290 E. Woodmen Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado.