When news was released recently about the death of Frank Gee, Dorothy Jones’ phone began to ring nonstop.
The headlines told of the death of the 81-year-old “founder of Black Jack Pizza” but the face appearing on television and computer screens was not anyone most patrons knew of and with good reason, since he had not been around in more than a decade and had no affiliation at all.
“We received all kinds of calls because our customers are hearing about a founder of Black Jack Pizza and reacting because while they were sad to hear about his death, they knew that Mr. Gee was not the founder of Black Jack Pizza and had absolutely nothing to do with us in years,” said Ms. Jones.
Some thought that the reports were talking about Jones, whose smiling face has been greeting customers at the main Black Jack Pizza location on Martin Luther King Blvd. in Sunny South Dallas for more than 30 years.
My customers know me and we need to set the record straight so there is no confusion, she said.
In setting the record straight, she pointed out that there are two locations for Black Jack Pizza that opened in 1990.
Prior to that opening, Jones said Mr. Gee operated Frank Gee’s Snack Shop in East Dallas. He broached the Jones Family about forming a partnership and they did.
Both locations, in Pleasant Grove and South Dallas were thriving and in 2009 the Jones Family bought out Gee’s interest; according to Jones, who with her son Terry Jones co-manages the main location at 2536 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, where along with signature pizzas customers are very fond of their popular tea, burgers and spaghetti.
Jones’ daughter and son-in-law, Marilyn and Vincent Pond manage the second location at 2120 St. Augustine Road.
So while he was a part of the Black Jack Pizza Family, Gee, who hails from Corsicana, is not responsible for the founding of the popular pizzeria.
“Our family, from the very beginning, put so much into establishing and building Black Jack Pizza so we want to make sure people have correct information.
Mr. Gee died on Sept. 1, 2022.
–Cheryl Smith, TMN
