William Donald "Don" Jones
October 27, 1936 ~ December 23, 2021
Born in:
Buncombe Co., NC
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly TrailOn Thursday, December 23, 2021, William Donald “Don” Jones, loving husband of Gail Love Jones, passed away at the age of 85 after a short stay in hospice.
Don was born in Asheville to William Alexander and Hilda Maney Jones. He attended Asheville City Schools and was a graduate of Clemson University. He was employed by American Enka Corporation which was later purchased by BASF.
Upon his early retirement he pursued his dream of spending winters in Colorado as a certified ski instructor, first at Keystone then at Beaver Creek for a total of 19 years. He had a quick dry wit accompanied by a sweet smile and a set of twinkling blue eyes.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Gail, and his brother, David, of Stafford, VA.
No funeral services are planned at this time.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sacred Places Capital Campaign of 2022, which preserves the historic building of First Baptist Church, 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC 28801.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.
Services
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Ron and Audrey Morrow
Gail, We are so sorry to learn of Don’s passing. We cherish the good times we had with you and Don in our Sunday School Class functions at West Asheville Baptist Church. May God bless you as you live your life without him. You were a great couple. Love you.
Love & blessings!
Don was my cousin. I was very proud of him. He was considerate and loved his family. We will miss him muchly. Love, Joanne and Bob Gunter
I will always think, “Gail and Don”,”Don and Gail”. They were such a great pair but now I will be here for Gail if you need me. I hope Don and Claude are batting around old BASF stories.
Don will be missed by me and my family. He was my brother in law and uncle to my three children and great uncle to my three granddaughters. He was such a wonderful person and unselfish with his time to be part of events to help others. We loved Don.
Gail, I was so sorry to learn of Don’s passing. He was a great friend and coworker. He was someone that I could always count on to give you an honest opinion and and his word was as good as gold. You both have lived an adventurous life and he loved you dearly. I truly feel that Don’s life was a life well lived. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. He was a credit to Clemson and to all of us at Enka and BASF as well
Very sorry to hear the news, Gail. Please let me know if you need anything at all. With love and rememberance –
Pete Knowland
David and I send our love, Gail. It’s hard to believe it’s been more than fifty years since we met. We have good memories of those “young” days. I think David took a skiing lesson with Don! That’s been awhile.
Our condolences Gail and David from all of us, we are all missing Don, those smiling blue eyes of his. How kind he was. He will be missed. Dee Smith and family
Don and I ran many miles side by side, flew to Clemson to watch the Tigers, played lots of golf, and introduced us to Glacier National Park. What a guy! Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Gail, and the family he loved so much.
Dave and Peggy
Don and I ran hundreds of miles, side by side. We flew to Clemson to watch the Tigers. We played golf on many courses. Y’all introduced us to Glacier Park. He was a fine gentleman and a friend. Thanks for the memories. Love to Gail and the family he adored. Dave and Peggy Beaman
Gail, I’m very sorry to hear about Don. You both meant a lot to Jane and me in our WAB days. Thinking of you and Merle, and David, you too.
Gail I was prompted to check on you and Don in last couple of days. This led me today to find the obituary. Oh my, our spirits are still very much connected and so many beautiful warm and fond memories. Love the gifting to First Baptist Church. Prayers of gratitude for a life lived so well and tender lovely memories and comfort for you.
Gail, I was looking through Groce obituaries and read where Don had passed away. I am so very sorry to get that news. He and I go back to Clemson and American Enka. We had many special times together. He was a good friend.