Robert L. "Roddy" Jones

Robert L. “Roddy” Jones, former Chairman of the UNC Board of Governors and a lifelong leader in North Carolina’s business and civic communities, passed away on March 24, 2025, at the age of 88. He was the son of the late Seby B. Jones (former Mayor of Raleigh) and Christina Brown Jones.

A Raleigh native, Roddy graduated from Needham Broughton High School and East Carolina University. He began his career at Davidson and Jones Construction Company, where he served as president for 20 years.

In addition to leading the construction company, Roddy was a driving force in Raleigh-Durham real estate, bringing vision and leadership to high-impact projects. His work culminated in co-founding Highwoods Properties Inc. and Tri Properties. He also held leadership roles across the industry, including President of the Carolinas Branch of the Associated General Contractors of America, National Director of AGC of America, and Chairman of both the Carolinas Construction Training Council and the State Advisory Council on Vocational Education. He served on the NC State Building Commission, was a member of the American Arbitration Association, and was a founding board member of Capital Bank, now First Horizon Bank. In 2019, Roddy followed his father by being in inducted to the Raleigh Hall of Fame.

Roddy’s lifelong commitment to education, civic engagement, and public service was the cornerstone of his life. He gave generously of his time, energy, and heart to the causes he believed in. A passionate advocate for education, he served as Chairman of the UNC Board of Governors, becoming the first non-UNC graduate to lead the 17-campus system. He also chaired the Board of Trustees at ECU, and served on the boards of Peace College, Shaw University, Louisburg College, Ravenscroft School, and the Babcock School of Business at Wake Forest University. He also led the Wake Education Partnership. His contributions to East Carolina University and Wake Tech endure through numerous scholarships, awards, and grants established in his honor.

Roddy is survived by his wife of 28 years, Eve Avery Jones; his three children, Robert Davidson Jones (Heather), Linda Christina Jones, and Seby Russell Jones; and five grandchildren; Adelaide, Vian, Jax, Colt, and Hadley, all of Raleigh, NC. He is also survived by his siblings, Alice Harrod (Keith), Jim Jones (Julie), and Seby"Chip" Jones, Jr. (Rose), along with many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. All who knew Roddy came to love him, including the many caregivers who supported him with extraordinary compassion in recent years.

Roddy will be remembered for his lasting impact on North Carolina’s business, educational, and civic life; his deep love for his family; and his larger-than-life presence. He was a mentor to many, driven by a spirit of generosity and optimism. Though his life was filled with achievements, Roddy believed the joy of service came not from the accolades, but from the act itself. And it was in that doing that he made his greatest mark. He always saw the silver lining in others—often enough to blow the clouds away entirely.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Monday, March 31st at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh, NC.

A funeral service will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Rd., Raleigh, on Tuesday, April 1st at 2:00 pm. Private burial will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to SPCA of Wake County or the American Heart Association.