Thomas Leander Jones

Thomas Leander Jones, born April 6, 1941, passed away peacefully after a recent illness on Friday, October 17, 2025. He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years and high school sweetheart, Sandra Presley Jones. He is survived by his two children, Suzan Jones Hughes and Clay Thomas Jones, as well as his son-in-law, Kenneth Vaughn Hughes, and daughter-in-law, Elisa Marie Jones, and grandchildren Hannah Kendall Hughes, Clayton Vaughn Hughes (Ashtyn), Jackson Thomas Hughes (Avery), Ansley Katherine Hughes, Walker Lewis Jones, and Presley Kate Jones. He was preceded in passing by his parents, Lewis Leander Jones and Beulah Willams Jones, and his brother, Jerry Wayne Jones. He lived in Acworth, Georgia from the time he was a young boy. He played football for North Cobb High School, reaching the state championship final in 1959. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Chattanooga in (now UT Chattanooga) in 1964 and later achieved master’s and specialist degrees. He dedicated his entire career to his students and community serving as a coach, teacher and administrator in the Cobb County School District including service to North Cobb High School and Awtrey Middle School, among others. In this service and throughout his life, he was known as a kind and caring man especially to those less fortunate or going through difficult times. He was active in his church and attended each Sunday, including the Sunday before he died. He kept an ongoing list of people for which he prayed and regularly professed his belief in God and the importance of family through his words and deeds. He loved his family deeply, evidenced by all his smiling grandchildren. He had a peace and gentleness about him because of his faith in the finished work of Christ. He was a gentle giant with a generous heart for everyone he knew or met.

A celebration of life service with the Rev. Dr. Sam Matthews officiating will be held Thursday, October 23rd at Acworth United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. After the celebration of life service, a time of fellowship with light fare and refreshments will take place at the church. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Mars Hill Cemetery in Acworth. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Acworth United Methodist Church.