Don Jones

Donald Wayne Jones, 70, of Jonesboro died Sunday, December 16, 2012 at U.A.M.S. in Little Rock with his family at his side.

Don was born on May 18, 1942 to the late Audrey M. Jones and Louise Long Bolton in Harrisburg. After high school he attended Arkansas State University where he earned a bachelors in Music Education, Masters in Music, and a Masters in Education Administration. He taught band for three and a half years at Paragould High School, 20 years for Blytheville Jr and Sr. High and Schools, and was Principal for 16 years at East Poinsett County School. He was a car enthusiast, and a member of the Fast Glass Corvette Club. He also loved airplanes, and was a pilot for many years. He was a former president of the United Way in Blytheville, and was of the Baptist belief. He was actively involved for forty years with the Dixie Band Camp, and served on the board for over 35 years. He was a member and past president of the Arkansas Band Directors Association. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and his loving personality will be missed but never forgotten.

He was preceded in death by his father, Audrey “Aud” Jones.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Barbara Jones of the home; two daughters, Julie Hoover and her husband Larry of Sapulpa, OK, and Jill Hudson and her husband Jay of Jonesboro; mother, Louise Bolton of Jonesboro; six grandchildren, Abby, Hudson, and Claire Hoover of Sapulpa, OK, and Connor, Kendle and Evan Hudson all of Jonesboro; two step-brothers, Larry and John Alumbaugh; and one step-sister, Shirley Smith; and a host other family and friends.

Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 6-8pm at Emerson Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 pm in the Emerson Memorial Chapel with Rev.Chris Hemund. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Robin Nix, David Leonard, Cathy Williams, Phil Burns, Jim Stone, Steve Warner, Tommy Knight, Tim Cunningham, and John Barabarotto.

Honorary pallbearers are all the Staff of Dixie Band Camp.

In Lieu of flowers the family asks you give consideration to the Dixie Band Camp Scholarship Fund, PO Box 19004, Jonesboro, AR 72403 , in loving memory of Don Jones.