Joseph Gordon Jones

His mother is Evelyn "Ginger" (Simons) Purdin, and his step-father

is H. Lloyd Purdin of Russellville, OH.

Gordon attended elementary schools in Maysville. He played in the

band, and he excelled in speech events, talent shows and made TV appearances

in Cincinnati. His high school years were at Eastern High School

in Macon, OH. He was a member of the "It's Academic Team", the Eastern

High School Band, and Eastern Warriors basketball team, where his

team mates gave him the nickname, "Sparky". His free throw record

at Eastern stood for many years before it was broken. During the summer he

played softball in Hillsboro, OH. As a pitcher for the Hillsboro American

Legion Softball Team, he helped lead them to a District and League

Championship.

He attended The Ohio State University on an academic scholarship,

and qualified for Woody Hayes' Ohio State University Freshman Football

Team as a "Walk-On". His only training for this remarkable feat was his

experience playing football at the Tom Browning Boys Club in Maysville.

He later attended the University of Michigan, and was a "Lifetime

Member" of their Alumni Association. He remained a loyal, dedicated,

enthusiastic fan of all university of Michigan academic and athletic

achievements. He was always eager to proudly share the facts and his

opinion on these topics.

Gordon had an extensive book collection covering many subjects, with the

predominate subject of his books reflecting his passion for history. Any

date or fact, once read, was never forgotten. He enjoyed walking/jogging

and riding his bicycle. He was a member of the Oakland County Park

Association and took advantage of their designated trails for his outdoor

pastime pleasures. He was with Ford Motor Company for thirty five yeais,

most recently at the Livonia Plant.

Gordon was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Ota Garland

(Hayslip) Simons and J. Gordon Simons of Maysville, KY, and his paternal

grandparents, Joseph D. Jones and Maude Jones of Barbourville, KY.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother, James Gregory

(Jeannette) Jones of Berea, KY; his sister, Gailanna Garland Purdin

of Cincinnati, OH; his niece, Carly Saunders of Morehead, KY; nephews,

Joshua Gordon Jones, of Berea, KY and Jonathan Grant (Tania) Jones and

their children, Jackson, Lila Grace and Ella of Georgetown, OH.

Services have been held. Barry Bainum, CLP officiated the service at the

Maysville Cemetery Chapel, and interment followed in the Maysville

Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to American Heart Association, Kentucky Region,

333 Guthrie Street Suite 207, Louisville, KY 40202.

Knox and Brothers Funeral Home of Maysville, KY served the family.