Donte was born to the union of Denise and Bennette Jones on November 21, 1984, in San Francisc, CA. He was raised in Sacramento, CA alongside his two brothers.

Donte was a child of God; he accepted the Lord as a teen and attended several different churches in the Sacramento area.

After his mother's passing, Donte was lovingly raised by his aunt Natalie, Ronnie Bryant, and Joyce Biddle. He attended Rio Linda High School where he was the star football player. Upon graduating, he attended Sacramento City College where he was a running back on the football team. Though destined for the NFL, an injury cut short his aspirations. Donte continued his education and held various jobs in the Sacramento area.

As a football player, Donte loved playing all kinds of football video games. He also cherished the outdoors, finding joy in getting fresh air and taking long walks as he explored new sights. He had a passion for books that often led him to explore different libraries, where he spent hours diving into a variety of subjects, taking notes, and gathering new insights that he loved sharing with others.

Although, sometimes stubborn, Donte was a free-spirit, quite spoken, always respectable, and a humble young man. Even when life was not going well for him, he spoke with a positive outlook and displayed a contagious smile. He never hesitated to tell you that he loves you and everything will be all right.

Donte is preceded in death by his Mother Denise Gray-Jones, father Bennette Jones, and Uncle Robert Jones Grandmother Elaine Eubanks, Step-Grandfather Howard Eubanks, Grandfather Phillip Gray Sr. and Aunt Sharon Walker.

He Leaves to mourn daughter Ayva Jones, brothers Benyelle & wife LeKeshia Jones, Brother Rahssan Jones and significant other Anna Carrillo, Uncle Phillip & Patricia Gray, Aunts Marrietta Gray, Michelle Gray, Natalie Gray and Jacquelyn Jones as well as a host of nieces and nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.