DONALD WAYNE JONES, 82 of Leland, NC transitioned into Heaven to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, April 4, 2022. He is rejoicing this day free of Parkinson's Disease. He celebrates today with all the family and friends that have gone before him. Don will have a very special reunion with his seven fur babies, Rufus, Esther, Bruno, Suzy-Q, Benji, DJ and Lula.
Don is preceded in death by his mother, Alice Elizabeth Jones Holder, his father, William Luther Jones, his son James Michael Jones, his granddaughter, Berri Ann Jones, his brother, Steve Holder.
Don is survived by his wife, Dianne Stroud Jones (who he affectionately called "His Lady Di") and his beloved fur babies Mickey and Marley all of the home. He is also survived by his daughter, Randi Michelle Moon, of Wilmington, his granddaughter, Alex Chandler Moon, of Leland, his grandson, Zack Michael Jones, of Australia, his great-grandson, Bentley Donald Jones, his great-granddaughter, Khiara Ann Jones, both of Australia. Don is also survived by his brother and sisters, Jackie Ray Jones (Joyce), GA, Deborah Statton, VA, Karen Patterson, NC, Gina Ilderton (David), SC, and Jenni Holder, NC. In addition, he is survived by lifelong friend, like a brother, James Melvin Geiger (Jeanne) and a friend that became like a son, Donn Evans (Melissa) both of NC.
Don was born on August 21, 1939 in Thomasville, NC. In 1957 he graduated from Greensboro Senior High School. After graduation he joined the US Navy and proudly served his country aboard the USS Calvert. When Don returned home, he earned his Mechanical Engineering Degree at Gaston Technical Institute (which back then the night school courses were taught by the faculty of NCSU, hence Don becoming an avid State Fan) because of the love and support of Maurice and Elsie Geiger, friends who became like family. Don was most proud and honored to have the opportunity to own and operate NuCon, Inc. for 32 years. His machine, metal fabrication business mainly manufactured the base frame and rails of hospital beds for the company Hillrom, which you see in hospitals around the world. Each time Don was hospitalized he would first check out the bed he was in to see if it was some of his work. Recently, when he was in the hospital, he shared with a nurse what he did for a living. Word quickly got around about the famous man in room 302, of which he got a real kick out of that.
Don enjoyed life through small things like cooking a new recipe for neighbors and friends, picking up the ingredients on the way home from working all day. He and his dear friend, Susan Taylor had an ongoing saying between them, "What's for Dinner". He loved grilled salmon with lemon beurre blanc sauce, banana pudding (always his birthday cake as a kid) and a whole lot of chocolate. He loved cooking a pig on his cooker for whoever, for whatever occasion, you did not have to ask him twice. As a serious Wolfpack fan, he held season tickets for football and tailgating at Carter-Finley for years. He especially enjoyed road trips to the Peach Bowl and Independence Bowl in 2016 being his last thanks to his State Fans Garland and Cindy Smith. Don was also a UNCW Seahawk Fan and Seahawk Club member over the 24 years that his Lady Di worked at UNCW. Don and Di could be spotted on the highway headed to Hampton and Richmond over the years. Their minivan was the one that had a Seahawk in all the windows, except the front windshield. Golf, though not great at it, was a sport Don enjoyed playing. He loved playing in the church golf tournaments and especially enjoyed his opportunity to travel to Scotland for one week with his lifelong friend, Jim Geiger where they played 36 holes a day! NASCAR was another pass time of Don's. Every Sunday after church in front of the TV, watching the cars go round and round! One birthday he got a real surprise. His dear friend Yona Bar-zeev gave him a gift certificate to the Jeff Gordon School of Racing at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. He suited up and had a wee bit of a problem climbing in the window since he was so tall, his foot actually started the engine before his whole body got into the car. But NASCAR Don was ready to go. The gift was for 8 laps around the track, his first lap was full speed ahead, a whopping 55 mph! Before his 8 laps were up, he did get up to 82 mph, but what a ride, he had driven NASCAR number 29!
Don was a gentle giant kind of a guy with a quiet and kind spirit. Over the years he became affectionately known as "Boyfriend" to many of Di's friends. She would often return home and say one of your girlfriends said to tell you "Hi and they love you", he would grin really big and ask which one?
Dedication and service to his Lord and his church were the most important things to Don. In the 40 years at First Baptist Church, Don served on various committees, chair of ushers, chair of diaconate, and elected Deacon Emeritus. All the years that he was able he participated in Mission Possible Days and fundraising events for the church. Every Sunday even as a cane was required to walk, you would find Don in the sanctuary between services checking the pews for bulletins left behind and turning all the hymnals to face the same way (a real pet peeve of his) making sure everything was in order for the 11 am worship service.
Thank You to all the family and friends who have prayed and supported us during this time. A special thank you to Sherry, Crystal, Erin, Alice, Terri, Jeanie, Debi and John. An extra special thanks to his caregivers Sandy and Brynn, who Don lovingly called "His Little Girl". We greatly appreciate the love and support from our First Baptist Church family, our FBC Supper Group, and our Brook Crossing neighbors. The loving prayers from all across the USA and Australia is what got us through Parkinson's journey. We will forever be grateful.
A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 pm, Sunday, April 10, 2022 at First Baptist Church, 411 Market Street, Wilmington, NC
In Lieu of flowers please make a donation to:
First Baptist Church, 411 Market Street, Wilmington, NC
Hospice Life Care Center
Parkinson's Disease Research
Any animal shelter or rescue of your choice
Don, Thanks for the Beautiful Memories that will Live Forever in our Hearts!
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