He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He began a career in 1968 as owner of Johnny’s Locksmith and Alarms, which he ran for 50 years. He was a founding member of East Tennessee Locksmith Association, ALOA (Associated Locksmiths of America), and Forensic Locksmith Association. He was a dealer and installer of safes and vaults; a locksmith and security specialist, and the first cellular phone dealer in Greeneville for several years. He also operated an Esso Humble oil dealership.
Johnny loved meeting new people through his business and never forgot his life-long friends. He attended “Tiger Town” reunions, where he reunited with childhood friends. He loved camping, playing with kids, flying model air planes, and riding his Harley with his friends. He had a great love for dogs: Slick, J.R. Max, and Buddy; and he loved working on and restoring his ’49 Chevy.
He was preceded in death by his parents: John F. and Pauline McGhee Jones.
Survivors include his wife of 54 years: Brenda Casteel Jones; daughter: Karen Jones and Jim Baskett; three brothers and two sisters-in-law: Willis and Betty Jones, James and Belinda Jones, and Nathan Jones; sisters-in-law: Ann Socha and Sue Jones, who was also a caregiver; several nieces and nephews; and special friends: Billy Carter, Nancy Ooten, Mike and Debbie Massey, Ronnie and Kathy Tullock, and Keith and Beth Neuhausel.
The family will receive friends 1-3 and 5-7 p.m. Friday at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home.
The funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Kevin Casteel, Rev. Sid Barkley, and Rev. David Dugger officiating.
Interment will be at 12:00 p.m. Saturday in Cross Anchor Cemetery. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home Saturday at 11:00 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Willis Jones, James Jones, Nathan Jones, Jim Baskett, Jacob Wright, Nathan Smith, Kelly Casteel, Stephen Knutsen, Matt Willett, Brian Jones, Kenny Hartman, Jeff Phillips, and Brett Miller.
Honorary pallbearers are the congregation of Union Freewill Baptist Church, where he was a member.
