Dr. John A. Jones (’64)
The following obituary was originally Published by WMC in Legacy on Aug. 7, 2025, and can be found here.
John Jones Obituary
John Allen Jones was born October 22, 1938, in Mt. Olivet, OH. He was the fifth child of Henry Williamson and Olive D. Sullivan Jones and was born 14 years after the next oldest brother. He was raised and lived in the Barnesville, OH area until his high school graduation. John was active in community projects and church. He worked during high school at the Green Cottage Restaurant. At the age of 16, he was invited to be Sunday School Superintendent at the Mount Olivet Methodist Church. Following tradition, John volunteered to preach at several rural local churches substituting for those who were either ill or on vacation. John graduated from Barnesville High School in 1957 was Salutatorian of his class.
He was awarded a full scholarship to Union College in Kentucky where he was in the Oxford Club and was on the National Methodist Scholarship Dean’s List throughout his college career. He also participated in the Student Senate, was a Student Pastor on the Williamsburg Circuit and was chosen as Mr. Union College in 1961. He was appointed student pastor of Faber Methodist Church which was awarded by the Kentucky Conference as “The Church of the Year” 1960-1961. He was the first student to receive this honor. His post graduate work was completed at Boston University School of Theology where he was chosen to be the personal assistant to Dr. Howard Thurman, Dean of March Chapel at Boston College. In addition, he received his Doctor of Theology degree from Vanderbilt University. His Doctoral Thesis was “Itinerant System of the United Methodist Church”. He began his ministry work with Center Methodist Church in Ohio in 1964 and then with the Paris Tennessee District in Kirksey, Kentucky. From there, he went to the Bemis United Methodist church in Jackson, Tennessee.
During his time at Bemis, country singer Carl Lee Perkins, a member of the congregation, wrote a song to honor John, “Preach on Brother John”. Carl also wrote about John in his book, “Disciple in Blue Swede Shoes”. John was the presiding clergy at Carl Lee Perkins’ funeral at Lambuth University in Jackson, TN. There were many famous entertainers in attendance including, Paul McCartney, Elton John and Eric Clapton whom each shared memories of Mr. Perkins. Billy Ray Cyrus, Ricky Skaggs, Johnny Rivers and Wynonna Judd all sang vocals during the service. Dr. Jones provided the message, the benediction and led the congregation in singing the closing song, “Love Sweet Love” to honor Carl Lee Perkins. While serving at St. Steven’s United Methodist Church in East Memphis, the former Police Chief of Memphis asked John to interact with the Chief Detective assigned to the leadership role in the Dr. Martin Luther King assassination case.
The Chief Detective was obviously under immense criticism and pressure and John provided important support and assistance to the Chief Detective as we walked through this national crisis. Thus, the city, state and nation were affected, either directly or indirectly, by his acts of Ministry. John Jones served at Longstreet United Methodist Church, which was founded by Judge Longstreet, former President of The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). The congregation reached a membership of over fourteen hundred while Dr. Jones was there. Dr. Jones was pastor for twenty years there and while there was very successful in building the Jones Family Life Center. Most recently, Dr. Jones has served the Clopton United Methodist Church in Tipton County, TN. While there for eight years, the congregation doubled in membership, and the congregation has been successful in building and paying for a new fellowship hall. In 2017, Dr. Jones was awarded the title of Pastor Emeritus for over 60 years of continual pastoral service.
As a church pastor, as an educator and as an individual, he has influenced many through his positive, “can do” attitude. His leadership skills and his guidance have provided influence to help others improve their lives, both through worship and faith. In addition, many others, because of Dr. Jones’ support, have followed his path to Ministry and Church Leadership. Dr. Jones has indeed been a positive influence in the Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio areas. His leadership has been acknowledged and rewarded in many wonderful ways throughout his career. He has been, and continues to be, highly successful at influencing and expanding congregations, building fellowships through spiritual and manmade structures, with bricks and faith for over 60 years.
John is survived by his daughter, Diana (James) Eller; three grandchildren, Jonathan (Jenny) Van Eaton, Timothy (Ashley) Van Eaton and Emily Rose Van Eaton and two great grandchildren, Rylee James Van Eaton and Jonathan William Van Eaton, Jr. and one great grandchild on the way. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry “Buck” and Olive Jones; his wife, Nadine Jones; one son, Gregory Mark Jones and his siblings, Ruth Johnson, Bobby Jones, Jimmy Jones and Viola Jones. Funeral services will be private. The family requests that any memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.