My Uncle David did not live near to us but our family made a point of gathering together at least once a year. He was only 10 years old when I was born and he always reminded me of this and how he thought I was a play toy.  What I remember was how full of enthusiasm he was!  My husband and I had a chance to go to California not long before he died.  I called to tell him we wanted to drive to their house so we could see him.  He and Aunt Linda insisted on driving four hours to see us instead because they enjoyed the drive.  We met at a restaurant that was not crowded and settled in for breakfast and then had lunch AND dinner.  Spending that time listening to his stories and exchanging memories of family gatherings and days when he was at Fort Bragg and he was able to visit our home in North Carolina and we went to the Fort to see him.  It was so wonderful and I am so glad we all made time to be together.  I talked with him on the phone just a few more times and then he was gone.   I know he is in a better place and no more suffering. I know he looks over me and all of his family.  And still I miss him very much.  Today I am at the funeral service of another family member who died too young.  I wish the need to die young would end.  


Sorry for your loss. David was a kind, loving, intelligent man of God. 

My deepest condolences to David’s family!  David was a good friend during his time at Petaluma High School. We shared many musical and other activities.  One of the finest young men I knew in those days.  Sadly, we didn’t stay in touch long after high school, as he went into the service and I went off to VMI.  David was not a guy you would forget though: his good nature, sincere friendship and thoughtful Christianity come easily to mind at seeing or hearing his name.   A fond memory is David taking me to my first Revival (our family was Congregationalist, and Congos are not exactly a revival sort of denomination) at his Southern Baptist Church.  I’m sure if anyone is at home with the Lord, it’s David!

David always extended a servant’s heart, no matter if he was just relaxing at home or pastoring a church.  I learned that this kind of even keeled and deep respect for others, “all” others, was, for David, standard operating procedure and the kernel of his meek, full, and, warm personal faith that he so organically & integrally shared with others wherever he would go.  I will miss him and his hearty sense of clean, healthy, humor and his artistic ability to reach others through music, the spoken word, and, what he called “The Theater of the Mind.”  I have included a poem that I wrote long ago called “My Love,” that represents from my heart and mind the promise we have via faith in Jesus Christ, that we all will, eventually past this human mortal coil and its rigors, rejoin each other in a World that knows no more death or the connected separation that it causes and, as such, I just hope that it may bring a measure of strength to all of us left behind:

My Love:

Quiet My Love, go to sleep
Heavens guard to us will meet
Quiet and Peace, this place is strong
The storm will rage but not for long

Never mind your tears, let them fall
I’ll count each one and turn them all
To prayers and whispers so when you dream
The wind will howl to have lost its scream

Quiet My Love, go to sleep
For tomorrow we’ll fly, with angels meet
Quiet and Peace this place is strong
As rhythms of rain forget their song

For Morning is rising
Within Flight of the Dove
For what once was yours
Will again BE My Love!

Thank you David and family for all the Love and Warmth you all have, and, still in Spirit continue to so generously and faithfully pour out into this often dark and cold world!  Some Bible Verses & promises that come to my mind, first Matthew 25:21, Psalm 30:5 and Revelation 7:17 To family left behind, know you have my prayers, thoughts, and deep thankfulness for your faithfulness in this time of loss and mourning, Brennon 


The Rogersville High School Class of 1965 is saddened to learn of David's passing.  He was a special classmate and reconnected with us a few years ago and attended a couple of reunions.  The memories shared by family and friends are a testimony to his wonderful life.  

David Jones was an incredible man. His laugh was big, his joy was infectious, and his love was unconditional. David was many things to many people. He was a loving father, a devoted husband and a loyal friend. For me, he was a trusted adult who changed the course of my life.

College was not something I planned on and not something that was ever expected of me. But David changed that. He pulled me aside one day when I was hanging out with my two best friends (his beautiful daughters) and he told me in his gentle southern drawl that I was going to college. When I explained all of the well-thought-out reasons for not attending (mostly that I didn’t want to get up early, I didn’t want to waste four years of my incredibly exciting life on school, and the whole concept of college was equal parts mystifying and terrifying) he smiled at me kindly. His eyes twinkled. He put a heavy hand on my shoulder and repeated, ‘You’re going to college’. And I did.

I now have a Bachelors Degree, a teaching credential, a counseling credential, and a Masters Degree. I have a career that I love and can financially sustain my family. And more importantly, I learned that I am capable of great things. Things that require determination, courage, resilience, and fortitude. All of those lessons and accomplishments started in my conversation with David and his loving insistence that I take advantage of my opportunities and change the course of my path.

David changed many lives through his love, his faith and his commitment to others. I am one example. I’m forever grateful that I knew him, that I was welcomed into his family, and that I get to carry a piece of him with me in my journey forward.

While I did not know David very well I do remember chanting with him several times  during our Sunday night prayer times with Pastor G.L. Johnson & his love one played in Bell Choir along with my daughter Jennifer Jean with Patty Cotta.   Florence Jean & I also like to thank David Jones for his service to our country.  

David, loved his family & the Lord. What a beautiful legacy he has left his family.
Praying the Lord’s comfort surrounds your sweet family as you face these sad days. 
David is now face to face with the One he has loved,  worshipped & adored all these years. 

David was my uncle and only ten years my senior. He often told me he thought I was a doll to play with when we visited.  One of my favorite memories was only a couple of years ago. Uncle David took me and my husband, Kurt, to Yosemite National Park. Part of the tour was a tiny chapel where Uncle David had preached on several occasions.  As fate would have it was our 35th wedding anniversary and Uncle David surprised us both by renewing our vows then and there.  What a special gift from a special man. We will miss him but will never forget him.  

Thinking of you Dave, and the time you, me and Tom Nicora worked together at the California Theatre in Petaluma. Oh those were sure the care free days. We had the cool boss, Mr. Black, that would party at the beach with us kids, like a kid himself. 

Remembering the guy that use to tell us that he was going into the service and be a Green Baret.  You did it, just like you told us. 

Tom is already in heaven with you and I hope you will share some stories of our teenage years.

You will always be part of my memories.
God Bless you Dave. 

Our family has known David and Linda since the "old" days at the little church on Belmont across from the country club.  David was our pastor and we really appreciated him in that capacity.  Our youngest son was born during that time and David was very supportive of us when Daniel needed surgery when he was only one month old.  I thank the Lord that they have been part of our lives.  May the Lord comfort and take care of you, Linda, and the family during this time.  I know He will.  

Mr. David Jones was a long time family friend to my father Dr. C.M. Lewis. David was my father's medical office manager in Fresno and he was a true blessing to our family over many years. David and Phillip Brewer both sang wonderful hymns at my father's funeral service in Missouri 12 years ago. David will be greatly missed and his love and dedication to his wonderful family and friends  will always be remembered.


I’ve known David most of my life, and have had many experiences and memories with him, and he has touched my life in multiple ways. It’s impossible to talk about them all with a 2000 character limit, so what comes to mind first is my ability to perform on stage and have confidence in myself comes from these experiences.  Ever since I was a teenager, David would invite me to the church he was pastoring at the time to play one instrument or another for his congregation.  Sometimes, the congregation was 6 people (4 of whom were his family), but he always talked it up like it was going to be Carnegie Hall, and afterward praised my performance continuously until I believed in myself.   
David shared with me his friendship, his family, and often his vision, and he gave me belief in myself.

Dave, you served your country and God. A life well lived and one that served others. We salute you.

Richard and Margie Nilmeier

OBITUARY

David Jones

October 11, 1946 – June 20, 2019

Whitehurst Sullivan Burns & Blair Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services