Visitation will be Wednesday, November 29, 2023 from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM in Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, Georgia 31907. A service to celebrate his life will begin at 11:00 AM with Reverend Albert Lyles officiating. Burial will be in Parkhill Cemetery.
Mr. Jones was born on August 25, 1942 in Washington D.C. to the late Gale Heston Jones and Vivian Sheets Jones. He was also preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Mildred Brindley of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; his sister-in-law, Patricia Ann Nations of Austin, Texas, and his brother-in-law Donald Kenneth Green of Gainesville, Georgia. He was married to Sybil Delane Green for 51 years.
He leaves his loving memory to be cherished by his wife Sybil; his daughters Emily Overby (Michael) of Columbus, Georgia and Shannon Merkle (Nathan) of Brooks, Georgia: grandchildren Matthew Blake Overby, Isla Delane Merkle, and Maddox Chase Merkle; and his brother David Jones (Carol) of Kissimmee, Florida. He also leaves behind several loving nieces and nephews. The family would like to recognize loving friends Sara and Tom Gale of Lovington, Illinois and Mr. Jones’s longtime friend, Chad “Smitty” Smith of Columbus, Georgia.
Mr. Jones retired after 20 years from Snap-on Tools, where he held titles of Sales Manager, Field Manager, and Branch Manager. The family relocated to many cities throughout his career, before calling Columbus, Georgia their home in 1986. His Snap-on family has always been an important part of his life and we would like to recognize their friendship.
Mr. Jones moved to the Atlanta area in 1971 while working on race cars for both NASCAR and Indy drivers. He worked with many drivers and team owners who are now in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He attended many races throughout the years and it was a homecoming of sorts as he could spend time with his friends in the racing community. Mr. Jones played a pivotal role in the partnership between Snap-on Tools and NASCAR teams, giving them the presence and relationships that have contributed to this day.
Mr. Jones and his family have attended Cascade Hills Church since 1997. On New Years Eve of 1999, he was baptized at midnight to ring in the year 2000. If you’ve ever visited or attended Cascade Hills Church, you were most likely greeted by Mr. Jones as your shuttle driver. He volunteered in the parking lot for all Sunday services and other church activities since 1998. He enjoyed putting out the cones, directing traffic, and driving the shuttles or golf carts.
He loved cars, tools, and anything mechanical. However, his greatest love was for his family, especially his loving wife, Sybil. He always showed great care and loyalty to her. Even when he was no longer able to be with her everyday, his concerns for his wife always came before his own. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
His family would like to give special consideration to Doctor Shane Darrah and Jed Vickers, P.A. for their exceptional care and devotion to him and his family. During his nearly eight weeks at St. Francis Hospital, the Jones family received amazing care from the doctors, nursing staff, and therapy teams.
Honorary Pallbearers are: Mr. Jones’ Chick-fil-A Bradley Park Breakfast Bunch- Chad “Smitty” Smith, Jack Wright, Al Ramsay, Bob Smith, Mike Brubaker, Larry Derbey, Colt Miley, Dr. Burch and Ellen Cameron, Keith and Allyson Moyer, Todd Kalish,Mark and Denice Smith, and Ralph King.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Mr. Jones’s memory be made to Columbus Hospice House www.columbushospice.com.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Jones family.
