Donald Wayne Jones

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Mr. Donald Wayne Jones, 70, of Jonesboro, died Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, at U.A.M.S. in Little Rock with his family at his side.

Don was born May 18, 1942, to the late Audrey M. Jones and Louise Long Bolton in Harrisburg. After high school he attended Arkansas State University where he earned a bachelors in Music Education, Masters in Music, and a Masters in Education Administration. He taught band for three and a half years at Paragould High School, 20 years for Blytheville Jr. and Sr. High Schools, and was principal for 16 years at East Poinsett County School.

He was a car enthusiast, and a member of the Fast Glass Corvette Club. He also loved airplanes, and was a pilot for many years. He was a former president of the United Way in Blytheville, and was of the Baptist belief. He was actively involved for forty years with the Dixie Band Camp, and served on the board for over 35 years. He was a member and past president of the Arkansas Band Directors Association. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and his loving personality will be missed but never forgotten.

He was preceded in death by his father, Audrey "Aud" Jones.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Barbara Jones of the home;

Two daughters, Julie Hoover and her husband, Larry of, Sapulpa, Okla., and Jill Hudson and her husband, Jay, of Jonesboro;

His mother, Louise Bolton of Jonesboro;

Six grandchildren, Abby, Hudson and Claire Hoover of Sapulpa, Okla., and Connor, Kendle and Evan Hudson, all of Jonesboro;

Two step-brothers, Larry and John Alumbaugh;

One step-sister, Shirley Smith; and

A host other family and friends.

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. today at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Emerson Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Chris Hemund officiating. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Robin Nix, David Leonard, Cathy Williams, Phil Burns, Jim Stone, Steve Warner, Tommy Knight, Tim Cunningham and John Barabarotto. Honorary pallbearers are he staff of Dixie Band Camp.

In lieu of flowers the family asks you give consideration to the Dixie Band Camp Scholarship Fund, PO Box 19004, Jonesboro, AR 72403, in loving memory of Don Jones. To sign the online registry, contact http://www.emersonfuneralhome.com