Tommie D. Jones

Tommie David Jones, 66, was called to be with his Lord on October 15, 2017. Tommie fought a long and valiant battle to live until the moment he left us. Tommie was affectionately called “Papa” by his three favorite Keepers; Brandon, Dylan and Blake. Children at Heritage Elementary remember him as “The Ice Cream Man.” Those children called him “Papa” as well.

A Celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home with the Reverend Jimmy Corbitt officiating. The family will greet friends at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. to service time on Thursday, October 19, 2017. Anyone wishing to honor Tommie at his celebration service may wear something red. Red was Tommie’s favorite color. To him it meant remembering the precious blood of his Savior, the One who died for him. Tommie has given out small pocket crosses for over 30 years. He gave these to anyone who needed to know or needed to remember that Jesus loves them. Burial will be in Macon Memorial Park Cemetery. The family respectfully asks that any memorial gifts be made to the Building Fund at Bethany Baptist Church, 365 Pea Ridge Road, Bolingbroke, GA 31004 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis TN 38148-0142, www.stjude.org.

Tommie was born in Macon to the late Willie Lee Jones, Jr. and Elizabeth Robinson Jones. Tommie served his country in the United States Army from 1968-1970. Tommie completed Recondo School during that time. He served as a paratrooper and a sniper. In 1969, Tommie served as an honor guard at the funeral of Dwight D. Eisenhower held in Abilene, Kansas. He marched behind the former President’s Caisson. Medals that Tommie earned were The Parachute Badge, the National Defense Service Medal, Marksman-16, and Marksman-14 Sharp Shooter. Tommie worked at Bluebird Body Company in Fort Valley, Georgia and Riverwood International in Macon until his retirement.

Tommie loved life, he loved his family and friends, and he loved children. He was an avid hunter and loved to go fishing with those three grandsons. He was a member of Bethany Baptist Church where he was a faithful member of The Koinonia Sunday School Class.

Left to cherish the memories he left behind are his wife and best friend for forty six years, Cathy Stapleton Jones. Tommie and Cathy had been boyfriend and girlfriend since they were in the 3rd grade. Also left is his son, David Carl Jones, and his daughter-in-love, Danielle Jones, who are the parents of his beloved grandsons; Brandon Jones, Dylan Jones and Blake Jones. Cheryl and Bruce Newman (his sister-in-love and brother) and Bonnie Williams (his beloved cousin) will cherish the many wonderful memories as well. Many other family members and friends will cherish the sweet memories of Tommie. Two special people who lovingly cared for Tommie during his illness were D.J. Nicholson and Chris Black. The family can be contacted at 118 Sweetwater Drive, Lizella.

Visit www.maconmp.com to express condolences.

Macon Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery has charge of the arrangements.