James Thomas Jones, 95, of Statesville, passed away Wednesday November 19, 2014 at Maple Leaf Health Care Center. He was born in Iredell County on June 4, 1919 to the late James Howard (Casey) Jones and Sara Sherrill Jones. Jim was a graduate of Statesville Sr. High School and on August 12, 1943, he married Dorris Neighbors Jones who preceded him in death on January 18. 2007. They enjoyed over 63 years of marriage before her passing. He was Air Force Veteran and served during WWII in the 8th Air Force Fighter Group. He worked for Carnation Milk Company and Gilliam Furniture where he was a maintenance mechanic and welder. Mr. Jones was a dedicated member of Western Avenue Baptist Church where he sang in the choir. He loved music and also sang in the Mitchell Community College Choir and Stage Front Music Theater. He loved photography and took pictures for the Mitchell Community College Yearbook. Hunting and fishing was a passion and he was the last surviving founder of the Duck Creek Gun Club. He loved his family and showed his love every day to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Along with his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Keyhole Jones and a sister, Frances Jones Sherrill. Mr. Jones is survived by a son, Tommy Jones; a daughter, Lindsay J. Bumgarner ; two grandsons, Casey Bumgarner and Ryan Bumgarner; one granddaughter, Shannon Wilhelm (Bradley); four great grandchildren, Austin, Hunter, Landon, and Cayden; and special friend, Harry Shrider of Ohio. Graveside services with full military honors provided by the Iredell County Veterans Burial Detail for Jim Jones will be held 2:00PM Saturday, November 22, 2014 at Oakwood Cemetery with Rev. Dr. Skip Cartin officiating. The family will visit with friends following the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Western Ave. Baptist Church, 1206 Museum Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences may be made to the family at
www.nicholsonfunerals.com
and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.