Wayne A. Jones, I

Published 4:30 pm Tuesday, April 17, 2018

SFC, U.S. Army (Ret.) Wayne A. Jones, I, 80, of Elizabethton, went home to be with his Lord on Saturday, April 14, 2018, from the Johnson City Medical Center. Wayne was a native of Carter County and a son of the late George T. Jones and Dovie Irick Jones. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father, Edward Eggers; a brother, Horace Jones; and two sisters, Dorothy Jones and Vista Jones.
Wayne retired from the United States Army, having served 21-1/2 years, and also served in the United States Marine Corps and was in the Vietnam War, where he received the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, 2 Purple Hearts, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. He was a participant of P.V.A. (Paralyzed Veterans of America – Special Olympics) where he earned gold, silver and bronze medals. Wayne had also been employed as a truck driver and was a member of Union Hill Freewill Baptist Church. He was an avid collector and also enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 57 years, Hurleah Miller Jones, of the home; a son, Wayne A. Jones, II, and life partner, Rosie Shirley, of Chattanooga; a daughter, Melanie Klingeman and husband Michael, of St. Louis, Mo.; a grandson, Wayne A. Jones, III, (Brittani), of Dayton, Ohio; a granddaughter, Renate Dalton and husband Jeremy, of Charleston, S.C.; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Orpha Culbert and husband Bobby, of Twinsburg, Ohio. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A graveside service to honor the life of Wayne A. Jones, I, will be conducted at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, April 19, at Mountain Home National Cemetery with Rev. William Jones and Rev. Roger Haley officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from noon until 1 p.m. at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, prior to the graveside service on Thursday or at the residence at any time. The family would like to express a special thank you to all Wayne’s friends and neighbors, the Carter County Rescue Squad and the Carter County Sheriff’s Department. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to the Carter County Honor Guard, 162 Spiral Vision Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Online condolences may be shared with the family on our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Mr. Jones and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Service Information and Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.