Donald Jones

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Donald D. Jones, CPA, 72, died Friday, June 10, 2016, in Oxford, Mississippi. Don was born February 22, 1944, in McComb, Mississippi to Mary Cowen Jones and Robert Major Jones, Jr. He was the third oldest of four children.

Don graduated from McComb High School in 1962. He was in the band, a football manager, participated in state government, the senior class play, and was student body treasurer. After high school, Don attended the University of Mississippi and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Don served in many capacities for SAE from pledge president to chapter president. He was a member of the Interfraternity Council, Omicron Delta Kappa (President), Army ROTC, the ROTC band, a Deputy Brigade Commander, and a member of the Scabbard and Blade Society.

Through Don's academic dedication, he was a Delta Sigma Pi Freshman honorary, on the honor roll, a Beta Alpha Psi Accountancy Honorary (Vice President), a Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honorary, a Phi Beta Psi Campus Honorary, and a Distinguished Military Student. Don graduated cum laude in 1966 with a BBA (Accountancy) from the University of Mississippi. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate. Don served as a graduate assistant in accounting while pursuing his Master's and graduated in 1967 with a Masters of Accountancy from the University of Mississippi. Don met his beloved Melissa at Ole Miss and they were married on December 23, 1967.

Don served his country in the Army as a Second and First Lieutenant, Finance Corp, from 1967 to 1970. After serving in the Army, Don then joined Arthur Andersen & Co. in Houston, Texas as an auditor from 1973 to 1976. Don then had the opportunity to join Brown & Root, Inc. in Houston, Texas from 1976 to 1981, serving in multiple capacities from Internal Audit Manager to Senior Manager Power Division and finally as the Senior Manager of Computer Services. In 1981, Don joined Universal Computer Systems, Inc. in Houston, Texas where he served as the CFO from 1981 to 1995. In 1995, Don became the CEO of Pilot Management Ltd. in Bermuda where he served until 2008. Due to his expertise, Don has served as a much sought-after Financial Consultant since 2008.

The Donald D. Jones Endowed Chair of Accountancy was established in April 2016, at the University of Mississippi's Patterson School of Accountancy.

Don was an active member of College Hill Presbyterian Church in Oxford, Mississippi. He was a member of the Mississippi Society of CPAs, the Texas Society of CPAs, the Georgia Society of CPAs, and the Bermuda Chapter of Canadian Chartered Accountants.

Don was an avid golfer, hunter, and fisherman. He was a dedicated supporter of Ole Miss Athletics, particularly football, baseball, and basketball. Don enjoyed reading, history, telling stories, spending time with friends, and being with his grandchildren.

Don is survived by his wife of 48 years, Melissa Massengill Jones; his daughter, Kelly Kathleen Jones Autenreith and husband, Kurt Autenreith; his son, Donald Drummond (Dru) Jones, Jr. and wife, Melissa Groover Jones; grandchildren, Parker Drummond Jones, Lillian Louise Jones, Emma Mae Autenreith, Cameron Kathleen Autenreith, and Victoria Lynn Bryant; his brother, Robert Major (Bobby) Jones, III, of McComb; sister, Mary Jane Jones Bultman and husband, Norwood Bultman, of Magnolia; and sister, Edith Lynn Jones Leggett and husband, Dr. George (Chip) Leggett, of Magnolia; and several close cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2016, from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. at Waller Funeral Home in Oxford, Mississippi. The funeral service will be held at College Hill Presbyterian Church on Thursday, June 16, 2016, at 10:00 A.M. with Rev. Justin McGuire officiating. Burial will follow in the College Hill Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the University of Mississippi's Patterson School of Accountancy, the College Hill Presbyterian Church, or a charity of your choice.

For additional information or to sign an online guestbook, visit our website at www.wallerfuneralhome.com or call 662-234-7971.