In a tribute to her late husband and the community they loved, Harriet Jones established the Gregory and Harriet Jones Family Fund. This significant gift through the Campaign for Mason County will support the community’s greatest needs and opportunities.

While Harriet’s connection to Ludington began after her marriage, Greg’s was a lifelong one. He spent most of his summers with relatives on beautiful Hamlin Lake, where his parents bought a home while he was in law school at the University of Michigan. Throughout their marriage, Greg and Harriet logged thousands of miles driving up to the lake from their home in Chicago. They enjoyed snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter and boating, playing tennis, and exploring the dunes in the summer. Their children, and more recently, their grandchildren, also delight in driving “Moby Dick,” Greg’s 1969 Boston Whaler.

Greg and Harriet’s commitment to Ludington grew in the 1990s when they invested in what would become a popular downtown destination for locals and tourists. Driven by Greg’s determination to preserve a piece of local history, they purchased a late 19th-century commercial building that once catered to Great Lakes sailors. The restoration project not only saved the building but also helped spark a downtown revitalization.

In 1994, the building became home to Harriet’s business, Sunset Bay Antiques. Then, in 2000, the couple partnered with friends to open Jamesport Brewing Company. Known by locals as “the brewpub,” it continues to be a favorite gathering spot. In addition to creating jobs and inspiring growth on James Street, the Jones family also provided a home for the Sandcastles Children’s Museum during its first two years and has helped generate more than $18,000 in donations to other local nonprofits through the restaurant’s monthly round-up program.

The success of their businesses and philanthropic efforts in Ludington is evidence of the values Harriet and Greg shared. Reflecting on her husband’s life, Harriet recalled his quiet generosity and willingness to help anyone in need. She remembers visiting Greg at his law practice and seeing a line of other lawyers who valued his guidance patiently waiting for his counsel. The quality Harriet admired most about Greg was his kindness.

The Gregory and Harriet Jones Family Fund not only continues Greg’s generosity but also carries on the family’s legacy of investing in the community. Much like the businesses they helped start, the family fund will continue to move Mason County forward for generations to come.