He was flown to Nashville on December 1 for an emergency surgery for an aortic tear. He did not survive the surgery.
Douglas was born on May 21, 1980, in Jackson, Tennessee. He graduated from Chester County High School, in Henderson Tennessee in 1998. He studied Wildlife Management at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He also studied Music at Jackson State Community College where he was an active member of the Jackson State Community College Choir. He attended the First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, Tennessee where he served in the choir. Douglas’ singing voice was one that people adored. He would be asked to sing “Mary Did You Know” at every First Presbyterian Christmas Eve service. You could hear a pin drop as his powerful, baritone voice filled the candle lit sanctuary. Douglas will always be remembered as a “people person” which explains the jobs that he had in his lifetime. In his younger years he served at the Old Country Store where he gained an appreciation for the restaurant business. He later became a manager at Olive Garden in Jackson, Tennessee, Detroit, Michigan, and Nashville, Tennessee. He loved country music which is why he enjoyed working in “The Boot Store” in Music City. During that period, he always had on the finest 14 ½ extra wide boot of its time, with a cowboy topper to complement the boots. The last 4 years of his life, he worked at Chick Fil- A in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee and Jackson Tennessee. It proved to be a company that loved him well and a place where his gifting was respected. He would enjoy talking to the people with whom he worked and the admiration he had for the company.
When Douglas was brought into this world, he was a strapping 9-pound 15-ounce baby boy who grew to be a 6’4” powerhouse of a man. When Douglas walked into a room, his presence spoke volumes. Embedded in that 6’4” body was a very big heart of compassion, a big heart for family and friends, and a big heart for his precious 5-year-old son, Easton. Douglas was Easton’s great big teddy bear. There are no words to describe the love and devotion he had towards his son. As a single parent, he was always seeking advice and asking questions on how to best raise his five-year-old.
Douglas had a big, genuine, and joyful laugh. You could feel where it came from, deep down in his soul. It was the kind of laugh that let you know he was really listening to you and enjoying you. What did Douglas love to do in his spare time? He would say there were no bad days in a cold, wet duck blind, looking at life from a deer stand, or a quiet day of fishing. All three would be accompanied with his dad and brother by his side.
Douglas loved the Lord and had great faith. We have the blessed assurance of where he is right now. Less than 12 hours prior to his unexpected emergency event, Douglas wrote a Facebook entry. In his own words we all find comfort, “Two years ago, I was praying to be right where I am right now. As much as I feel very lost at being a single parent sometimes, I find myself putting one foot in front of the other. Each and every day, I am so grateful for what I have. The people in my life. My family most importantly. I pray every day. I try not to worry. I love my life and the people that are in it.”
Douglas is survived by his son, Easton Jones; his parents, Randy and Vivian Jones and Nelda and Wayne Rhodes; his brother and sister-in-law Russell and Carrie Jones and their children Caleb and Logan.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Norwood and Joyce Jones, and Robert and Audrey (Dolly) Mathis.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Douglas on Thursday, December 8, 2022 at 1:00pm at First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, Tennessee. Visitation and reception to follow in Memorial Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any First Bank Location for Easton Scott Jones in loving memory of Douglas Lawrence Jones.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GeorgeASmithandSons.com for the Jones family.
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