Mr. Harling (Trey) Jones III

To Trey the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, he was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around him, he seemed to be eternally happy, and he willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life he touched. For Trey, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, he could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Trey really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

      Trey was born on June 11, 1979 at East Ridge Hospital in Chattanooga Tennessee. His parents were Harling Jones Jr and Diane. Trey was raised in Chattanooga Tennessee. Even as a child, Trey had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around him. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. He was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, he succeeded in entertaining his entire family.

      Always a good playmate, Trey was easygoing and fun loving. He managed to lighten the mood wherever he was, even during family squabbles. He seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Trey managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems. Trey was raised with one. He had one younger sister, Jeasami.

      All of Trey's playful good humor carried over into his childhood. He was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed him to be constantly on the go. As a result, Trey experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited him very well. He took part in baseball and wrestling. He was a Boy Scouts. In his spare time he liked to ride his bicycle and play with the neighborhood kids.

      Ask anyone who knew him from school and they would tell you that Trey was a class “cut-up.” He didn’t do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Trey simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of his friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Trey, grades may not have been the most important thing to him, but he really did enjoy his school experience. Since experience was Trey's best teacher. He enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was band. Trey participated in ROTC, band, and was voted Best Dressed and Most Outgoing.

      Trey never actually encountered a stranger in his dealings with people. He was drawn to individuals and crowds, using his gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate his audience. This quality allowed Trey to continually develop new relationships, ever widening his circle of friends. Trey delighted in his role among all his acquaintances, because he viewed them all as potential spectators for his performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Trey was always right at home putting on a show among his friends. Trey utilized his interest in others as a great way to connect with them. Later in life, he became friends with Johnathon Wilson and Josh King. Trey loved sharing life and having his home filled with people he knew.

      The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Trey very easy to approach. On July 14, 2007 Trey exchanged wedding vows with Mary Jane Parton at Everlasting Memories Wedding Gazebo of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. He tried hard not to impose on his spouse. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

      Perhaps the reason Trey related so well to children was the fact that he never really completely grew up himself. Trey was expecting his first child. Trey had the ability to focus his attention on the present moment.

      At work, as in life, Trey was a real “people person. ” he had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Trey liked to see himself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Trey was an adaptable realist, using his common sense and trusting his experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Trey's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around him to see Trey as an excellent problem solver. His primary occupation was receiving clerk. He was employed for seven years with Chattanooga Shooting Supplies.

      Trey enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Trey had many hobbies as an adult. He loved to fish, play pool, disc golf, fly kites, camp, and go four wheeling in his Jeep.

      Trey felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if he wasn’t the best, Trey loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Trey relished the opportunities where he could make an impact, and he would often push himself to play above his abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Trey never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. In high school, Trey played baseball and wrestled. Recreational sports included softball, disc golf, and fishing. Trey was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were fishing, football and basketball.

      Trey had an endless appetite for new and different activities. He was always ready to join in the fun and add his flair and energy to an organization. Because of his personality, his humor, and his ability to get along with everyone, Trey's service was greatly valued by the organizations to which he belonged. Throughout his later years, Trey was an active member of the Chattanooga branch of the APA Pool League.

      Living life in the fast lane suited Trey just fine. It is no surprise that he loved to travel and to visit new and different places. He was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. He was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included Savannah Georgia for St. Patrick's Day and camping anywhere.

      Trey was a lover of animals and cherished his pets, enjoying them almost as much as he enjoyed being around other people. One of Trey's favorites was Millie, a Jack Russell terrier. They were best friends for 2 years. His family was rounded out by his cat, Shadow and other dog an Australian Shephard named Paco.

      Trey passed away on March 15, 2009 at his home in Chattanooga Tennessee. At this point we are not sure what caused Trey's death. It was very sudden. He is survived by his wife Mary Jones, step-son Zachary Lewallen, mother Diane Jones, father Harling Jones, Jr. sister Jeasami, and mother and father-in-law James and Jane Parton. Services were held at Chattanooga Funeral Home's Valley View Chapel. Trey was laid to rest in Hamilton Memorial Gardens in Chattanooga Tennessee.

      Trey brought joy to all of those around him. He never had a mean bone in his body. He loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. He loved to share his energy, wit, and his zest for all of his activities with his friends and family. Mr. Harling (Trey) Jones, 3rd lived life to its fullest and made everyone around him happier just for knowing him. He will be remembered with a smile.