Daniel Erwin Jones

Daniel (Dan) Erwin Jones of Little River, SC passed through the gates of Heaven at the age of 80 on March 1, 2026 after fighting a brave battle with heart failure. Born in Jamestown, NY to Erwin F. Jones and Theodora Mills Jones. The Jones Family of Swedish descent celebrated their 110th family reunion in 2025.

Dan was Jamestown High School’s marching band Drum Major. They won the state championship all three years. He also got to perform at a Cleveland Browns and Buffalo Bills game. Some of Dan’s most treasured memories were summers on Lake Chautauqua driving his boat and performing with the water ski club. As a teen, he worked at Quality Markets in Mayville, NY throughout his high school years.

He earned a BA degree from Murray State University in Kentucky. He met his first wife, Glenda Kay Jones, the first day on campus. They were married 52 years. Dan and Kay did not have children of their own but Kay’s only nephew, Brady the son of Roger and Mary Ellen Sanders, was a big part of their lives.

Dan’s first job was with the Farm Bureau and later with R.J. Keller, Inc, the National Safety Council in Chicago and AIG insurance. For many years with AIG, he consulted to trucking companies, gave seminars and wrote manuals on safety and investigated trucking and bus accidents.

Dan was a passionate follower of Jesus Christ and very active in his Christian faith. During his younger years, he attended the First Methodist Church in Jamestown. While living in Chicago, Dan and Kay attended Naperville Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and later active in First Baptist Church of Wheaton, IL. Dan enjoyed singing in church and community choirs with his amazing bass voice.

Dan and Kay retired to Maryville, TN in 2017 where he was active on the Shannondale HOA Board. They were members of East Maryville Baptist Church where he was also a deacon and in the choir. His wife passed in November 2019.

In 2022, Dan was introduced to Olivia Carpenter through her sister Darlene who attended the same church as Dan. Dan and Olivia always felt their meeting each other was God’s plan. After a long distance relationship and several years later, Dan decided to move to Little River SC and they were married on June 15, 2024.

They joined Ocean Drive Presbyterian where Dan quickly became active in the choir. He was a narrator at the Christmas Cantata this past year. He enjoyed attending the church community men’s prayer group. He also enjoyed being a part of Olivia’s family- her three children - Angela (Jamie) Huggins, Mark (Anna) Adkins and Melissa (George) Betancourt. He was thrilled to have grandchildren- Trey and Audrey Huggins and Charlie, Amelia and Grey Betancourt.

His sister, Diane Jones Carlson, moved to be near Dan and Olivia in June 2025. Though not much time together, they enjoyed living close to each other. Dan was close to Diane’s children, Stephanie Carlson, Bradley Carlson and Gregg Carlson.

Dan always had a love of cars which he got from his dad. His dream car was a Corvette but he had the good fortune to buy a 2006 red Jaguar convertible. He and Olivia enjoyed going to car shows. He was a member of the Grand Stand British Car Club in Myrtle Beach, SC and Tour Deluxe Rally of Lancaster, SC.

Dan cherished his relationship with Jesus and was a man of great Christian faith. He was a great storyteller who said “I’ll tell you a long story short”. Dan was well-loved. Such a kind, thoughtful, loving, generous and fun person.

A memorial service is scheduled at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church, 410 6th Avenue S, North Myrtle Beach SC 29582 on Tuesday, March 10 2026 at 1:00 pm. There will be a reception at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Arborbrook Christian Academy (granddaughters’ school- trying to build new school) or Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church.