James Emory Jones

James “Jim” Emory Jones, age 79, passed away Thursday, July 19, 2018 at his home after a long illness.

Jim was born December 31, 1938 in Greenville County, SC to the late Thomas Watson Jones and Vella Garrett Jones. In the first 15 years of his life, he and his family moved 12 times between various mill towns. Graduating from Harmony High School in Harmony, NC, he joined the US Navy where he served for 13 years including in the Vietnam War. After his service, he earned BS and MS degrees at Clemson University and worked as an instructor and administrator in the South Carolina Community College system. Jim and his wife, Marion, lived and traveled on their 39-foot sailboat for 5 years visiting ports in the eastern US, the Bahamas and the Caribbean Islands. Jim enjoyed playing golf and following NASCAR.

Those left behind to cherish his memories are his beloved wife, Marion Hale Baker; three children, Scott Jones of Clemson, SC, Jamie Watson (Graham) of Liberty, SC and Kevin Jones (Betty) of Greensboro, NC; three siblings, Thomas Lee Jones (Billie Ann) of Camden, SC, Mary McWhorter of Sanford, NC and Robin Jones of Augusta, GA; five grandchildren, Madison, Chase, Abbey, John (Buffy) and Amanda (Corey); four great-grandchildren, Sealey, Grey, Bryce and Brody.

The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at Beam Funeral Service.  A service to celebrate Jim’s life will follow at 12:30 p.m. at the funeral home.  Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, NC with military honors provided by the U.S. Navy. 

The family thanks Care Partners Hospice & Palliative Care – McDowell and New Horizons Home Health Care for the extraordinary love and care shown to Jim and his family during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in Jim’s memory are asked to consider, CFWNC, PO Box 55, Marion, NC 28752-0055, attention McDowell Endowment or McDowell Mission Ministries, PO Box 297, Marion, NC 28752.