Bobby Jack Jones

Bobby Jack Jones, 78 of Griffin died Tuesday night, June 15 at the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin where he had been a patient since 2006. Jack was born in Spalding County on June 7, 1932 to the late Roy Jones, Sr. and Cleo Ragan Jones. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Roy Jones, Jr. and his sister Shirley Jones Culpepper. Until Parkinson’s disease wracked his body and dimmed his brilliant mind, Jack worked as a true quality home builder in the Griffin area for nearly thirty five years. He had always been an avid reader and was a better than average golfer, playing when time permitted. He scored a hole in one in November 1999. Jack was an artist and a craftsman, never boastful, rather a modest man who took immense pride in his work. His various jobs beginning as a boy of eleven or younger included delivering groceries and newspapers on a bicycle. Among his strong character traits was his hard work ethic. Jack graduated eight days before his seventeenth birthday from the original Spalding High School with the class of 1949 where he was selected a Senior Superlative. Before entering the Army he worked as an electrician. He volunteered for the Army during the Korean Conflict and was stationed at Fort Jackson, SC and Camp Gordon, GA where he served as a Field Cadre, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant and was a select member of the Army Honor Guard. During each year of his two year enlistment he was selected for Officer Candidate School and each time he elected not to extend his active military service beyond his initial enlistment. He served his second year in the Army Occupation Forces in Germany with the 60th Infantry Regiment as a Scout Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant and a select member of the Army Honor Guard and received his honorable discharge with the rank of Sergeant First Class. After the Army, Jack graduated from Gordon Military College and worked in the insurance industry in management and sales until he began his work as a home builder. Jack joined Second Baptist Church as a young adult. He enjoyed a large circle of friends and his sharp wit entertained those fortunate enough to spend time with him. Jack was a gentleman, honest and kind, giving generously, expecting little in return. He would most likely characterize himself as “just a good guy.” And a good guy he truly was. Jack is survived by his wife of nearly fifty seven years, Elizabeth Wilson Jones of Griffin, daughter Jan Jones Wildsmith of St. Simons Island, GA and granddaughter Sarah Elizabeth Wildsmith of Brunswick, GA, sisters Billie Jones Brown of Griffin and Carol Jones Switzer of Augusta, sisters in law Pat Jones of Anderson, SC, Elaine Wilson Waldrop and Faye Fox Wilson of Griffin, uncles, aunts and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be conducted on Monday, June 21 at 1:00 pm at Conner Westbury Funeral Home with the Rev. Buddy James of LaGrange officiating. Visitation will be from 12 noon until the funeral hour. It was Jack’s wish to be cremated, so in lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Church Street Station, P.O. Box 780, New York, NY 10008-0780 www.michaeljfox.org in Jack’s memory.

Bobby Jack Jones

June 7, 1932 - June 15, 2010