Note: This post orginially appeared on SpedPro.org 27 September 2011. I want to recognize contributors to special education who have already passed on, but who should not be forgotten. JohnL

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Reginald Lanier Jones died 24 September 2005 in Hampton, Virginia. Born in 1931, he took his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. At Hampton, Professor Jones served as Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Special Education and Director of the National Center for Minority Special Education. Prior to joining the faculty at Hampton, he was Professor of Psychology and of African American Studies at the University of California Berkeley.

Professor Jones' contributions to education were exceptional, both for their extent and their breadth. He edited many books, including some of the most influential examinations of race as it relates to development and education. His academic career began in the 1950s and continued until recently. During that time he reported orginal research on topics as diverse as the trustworthiness of standardized tests, social perceptions about disabilities, and mainstreaming. The scope of his work spanned the range of disabilities, including studies of children who were blind as well as those who had mental retardation, orthopedic disabilities, learning disabilities, or other problems; in addition, he reported studies about gifted children and youth.

The recipient of many awards, including a Centennial Citation from the University of California, Professor Jones was honored twice by the Association of Black Psychologists for his scholarship. He also served as president of that association from 1971-72. In addition, he served in elected and advisory positions for many other organizations, including the American Psychological Association and the Council for Exceptional Children.