My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.
John 10:27-29 NIV
Obituary
Douglas William Jones, lovingly known as Doug, went home to be with the Lord on May 13, 2026, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He was born on January 31, 1951, and spent 75 years loving Jesus, loving his family fiercely, serving others faithfully, and making sure there was never a shortage of dad jokes in the room.
Doug is survived by his beloved wife, Linda, his four children, Matthew, Karen, Andrew, and Aaron, his brothers Ron, Larry and Jim, and his 10 grandchildren, all of whom were deeply loved and prayed over regularly.
Doug married Linda on July 11, 1976, after only four months of dating. He knew immediately that Linda was the woman he wanted to build a life with and spend the rest of his days beside. She became the love of his life, his greatest earthly companion, and the mother of their four children. Their marriage was marked by devotion, faith, laughter, perseverance, and countless little acts of love over nearly fifty years together.
Doug was kind, loving, optimistic, humorous, generous, tenacious, and deeply devoted to his family. He loved them more than anything else in this world. He was the definition of a provider and protector, working tirelessly to care for those entrusted to him. But his greatest act of love was leading his family to know Christ Jesus. Doug faithfully took his family to church, pointed them back to Christ through every season of life, and lived his faith openly and sincerely. Jesus was not simply part of Doug’s life, He was the center of it. He dedicated his life to serving the Lord in whatever capacity he could and taught many throughout his life, whether in Sunday School, church ministry, or school classrooms. Teaching came naturally to him because he genuinely loved people, especially children. Students and friends will remember his warmth, his patience, his wisdom and his humor.
Over the years, Doug worked many jobs. He sold insurance, built glass bottom boats, worked at Planters Snacks, became a teacher and deacon, and eventually fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a bus driver. No matter the title, Doug approached every role with humility, grace, diligence, and the belief that all work done unto the Lord mattered. He worked ceaselessly for both his family and for Jesus.
As someone who loved books and poetry, he collected many old books over the years and even wrote poems of his own. He found joy in tending to his garden, growing vegetables and growing flowers that he delighted in giving to his beautiful wife, Linda. He also deeply loved music. To Doug, music was more than entertainment. It was a gift from God. He especially appreciated the beauty of the human voice and often said, “My favorite instrument is the human voice.” He played guitar and frequently played it around his children while they were growing up, creating memories that will stay with them forever. He valued and treasured photos because he understood that they were a return ticket to memories he cherished. He was typically the man behind the camera in his family.
Doug believed deeply in family life. His decision to become a teacher was one he and Linda made together because it was important to both of them to build a life centered around family and proximity to family. Teaching was a calling that Doug answered with enthusiasm. He was known to love a good yard sale deal, not because he simply enjoyed bargains, but because he found joy in providing for others. Whether it was shoes, clothes, or toys for his children, toys for his students, or clothes for someone in need, Doug stewarded what God gave him generously and thoughtfully. He gave freely because he understood everything he had first belonged to the Lord.
Though his wife and family grieves deeply, they rejoice knowing Doug is finally home with his Savior, who he loved and served faithfully throughout his life. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he impacted, the family he cherished, the students he taught, the faith he shared, and the love he gave so freely.
In Doug’s own words: “All for the Glory of God.”
Gallery
Memory wall
He was like another parent to me. I learned a lot from him…Looking forward to seeing him again one day.
Family tree
Service
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