# David A. Jones Sr.

> David Allen Jones Sr. (1931-2019) co-founded Humana with Wendell Cherry in 1961, served as chief executive until 1997 and chaired its board until 2005. A Louisville native, Navy veteran and Yale-trained lawyer, he supported education, the arts and civic projects, including fundraising for the Parklands of Floyds Fork alongside his son Dan. His memoir, Always Moving Forward, was published posthumously in 2023.

- **Role:** Entrepreneur, corporate executive, lawyer, philanthropist and memoir author
- **Organizations:** Humana, 21st Century Parks, CE & S Foundation, United States Navy, Transylvania University, Middlebury Institute of International Studies
- **From:** Louisville, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor’s degree; studied accounting, University of Louisville, Law degree, Yale Law School
- **Known for:** Co-founded Humana in 1961 and served as chairman for 44 years., Led fundraising for the Parklands of Floyds Fork, which connected nearly 4,000 acres through more than 80 voluntary land transactions., Supported international travel and international students at Berea College.

## Career timeline

- **1931** — Born in Louisville on August 7.
- **1954** — Graduated from the University of Louisville; subsequently served in the Navy.
- **1960** — Earned a Yale law degree and returned to Louisville.
- **1961** — Co-founded the business that became Humana with Wendell Cherry.
- **1974** — The company adopted the Humana name.
- **1990** — With Betty Jones, created and helped endow the David and Betty Jones Fund for Faculty Development at Transylvania.
- **1997** — Retired as Humana CEO on December 2; continued as chairman.
- **2004** — Began developing the Parklands of Floyds Fork with son Dan.
- **2005** — Retired as Humana chairman on April 26.
- **2009** — Received a Middlebury honorary degree alongside Betty.
- **2016** — Broad Run Park opened, completing the four-park Parklands system.
- **2019** — Died September 18, aged 88.
- **2023** — Memoir published posthumously; Hometown Heroes banner dedicated in Louisville.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Humana in 1961 and served as chairman for 44 years.
- Led fundraising for the Parklands of Floyds Fork, which connected nearly 4,000 acres through more than 80 voluntary land transactions.
- Supported international travel and international students at Berea College.
- Established the David and Betty Jones Fund for Faculty Development with his wife in 1990.
- Received honorary recognition from Transylvania University and Middlebury.
- Supported the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990 and Louisville arts institutions.

## Latest updates

- **2025-12** — Son David Jones Jr. discussed his father’s memoir and legacy on the Back2Basics podcast, episode 317.
- **2023-11** — A Hometown Heroes banner honoring Jones was dedicated at Louisville’s downtown YMCA.
- **2023-10** — Always Moving Forward was published posthumously by Old Stone Press.
- **2022-12** — The Parklands announced that cumulative visitation had surpassed 25 million.

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/david-a-jones-sr
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Last updated: 2026-10-21