Gary Douglas Jones

April  17th, 1937 December  9th, 2024
Birmingham, Alabama
Gary Douglas Jones

“And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
‭‭~Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭43‬ 

Obituary

Gary Douglas Jones, a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and respected member of his community, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2024, at the age of 87. Born on April 17, 1937, Gary lived a life full of adventure, hard work, and dedication to God, family, and friends.

Residing in Birmingham, Gary shared a wonderful life with his devoted wife of 66 years, Nancy Jones. Their marriage was one of the greatest love stories of all time. It was an inspiration to all who knew them. Together, they demonstrated a devotion and partnership that went beyond love. It was a relationship designed by God and lived out with such grace and genuine care. Gary and Nancy built a home filled with wonderful memories. From Birmingham to Houston to the Telluride Mesa, they created a gathering place for several generations of the Jones family. 

Throughout his life, Gary dedicated himself to his pursuit of God, family, and love for the outdoors. Whether it was fishing on the San Miguel River, tending to his birds, or engaging in lively discussions about history and politics, Gary was always authentic and always engaging. 

Though he has departed from this world, and is face to face with Jesus Christ in heaven, Gary’s legacy will live on in the hearts of those who were privileged to know him. His spirit continues to shine through his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

Gary leaves behind a legacy of an unwavering commitment to his faith, family, friends, and country. We are certain the angels stood and cheered as he entered the gates of Heaven. We love you, Gary Jones!

Quote from Gary Jones Tuesday, August 06, 2013

At the age of 76 I have asked the question--What have you accomplished in this life?? Clearly the business titles and awards have a short shelf life and business associates fade quickly. My answer--as a believer I have had the privilege of creating "blessing by association" for family, friends, community, and country."     

Gallery


Memory wall




February 4, 2025
Gary’s life was his family and his faith. He was a man of integrity, honesty and compassion. He loved my sister Nancy and his family and provided them a good life with much love.

We always had fun when they came to visit us in Bridgeville or in Destin.

When I think of Gary I think of a fabulous steak dinner at a special restaurant or a fish sandwich at the local bar; a fine bottle of wine or a draft beer; an expensive suit and tie or a Pittsburgh Steeler shirt and jeans.

For years I made him my special cookies. I guess I did it because he called them “Cathy’s Cookies” and said there were none like them. When he and Nancy lived in Colorado he used to drive down the mountain to the post office with his thermos of coffee to see if they arrived and eat some on the way home.

I will miss our conversations about the Steelers. I would call and tell him “you better suit up Gary”, our running back is hurt and you may have to go in.” He would laugh.

He would go to Pennsylvania Macaroni with Billy and my brother-in-law Bill for specialty cheeses and to the gun store to look at guns and ammo. He asked the “cheese lady” a million questions about the cheese until he knew everything about it. At the gun store he did the same. He looked at the ammo for a long, long time and Billy finally asked him if he was going to buy it and he said “That is a purchase for another time”. And that was that.

You can tell how much he was loved by the way his sons and their families helped he and Nancy when they needed them.

Gary, you will be missed.
Billy and Cathy
Bill and Cathy Cairns
February 3, 2025
Rest in peace, Gary. You will be deeply missed- The Morrow Family
Morrow Family
January 30, 2025
I only knew Gary for a short time, but reading Joe Oyler’s weekly devotional on Gary, you really got to know him. You had a better understanding of who he was and what he did to make sure his family had everything they needed. Joe mentioned during his devotional Gary’s senior year of college, “ he was married, was renting a house, had an infant child, and was working at a gas station in the evening. All of this was “on top” of studying Civil Engineering and, in the fall semester, playing football.” How do you juggle all of this? Faith. Gary was a man of faith and never wavered. You see how he instilled this in his kids. I am fortunate to be part of this family and witness Gary’s influence. Gary, thank you for the Old Fashioned recipe you printed out for me. Thank you for accepting me, despite being a Raiders fan. Thank you for giving me an example of a how to be a good man. Thank you. Love you Gieka.
Pedro Martin Del Campo
January 30, 2025
When I was little, I could not say “granpa”, so I settled on Gieka and my grandfather’s new name attached itself to him. Interestingly, my cousins had their own names for him- Papa, grandad, grandpa- and he wore them all confidently.

Gieka’s passing has not seemed as real as perhaps it should. It’s hard when you haven’t seen someone in months, and then suddenly you won’t see them again. I’m grateful for this platform to give words to feelings. I’m very thankful to celebrate the amazing life of Gary Jones with those who loved him.

My grandfather was an extremely generous man who would do anything for his family. He was strong in his faith, devoted to his wife, and who can only be described as a truly good man. He kept my history reports from grade school and read them regularly. He insisted I needed mink brushes when I started wearing makeup. He really liked Pedro, despite the “whole Raiders thing.”

I’ve spent a lot of time looking at photos of Gieka and I together. My favorites are from our time spent in Destin, FL. I was maybe 5? The photos of Gieka and I standing at the shoreline, holding hands and looking at a blue horizon- those will always stick out to me. Gieka wore more sun-protective clothing than I thought possible, but with his toes in the sand and the waves at his feet, he acknowledged the passing of another day with his little granddaughter who thought he was the wisest (coolest).

Gieka was also a die hard Steelers fan, so much so that he often watched the games on mute so he wouldn’t have to listen to the “talking heads”. The fandom skipped a generation, and I became a Steelers fan because Gieka was and I wanted to be like Gieka.

I wish we could still talk Steelers football and complain about the lacking secondary. I would love nothing more than to watch one more Destin sunset together, but I’m happy to know that’s he is in Heaven. I’ve said it so many times, but the song “Pink Skies” by Zach Bryan will always remind me of my passionate, reliable, steadfast and selfless grandfather.

Gieka, I love you. Thank you.
Maggie Jones
January 30, 2025
Nancy and Gary were such good friends. We had many adventures together and on a road trip we found the Mesa in Telluride together.We built a house and they follow ten years later. They were so wonderful to me after Bob died and always included me in many outings. I served on the Wilson Mesa Hoeowners' Board for many years with him and Gary was always a wealth of information and guidance. He will be missed by many but he is in a better place.
Betty Miller
January 30, 2025
Where to start with this great man that I am so fortunate to call my father in law. The task of telling one story is impossible as I am blessed to have a lifetime of memories with Gary.

When Don and I were married for about 5 years, Don was offered a new position in Newport Beach, California. We had just settled into our new home in Atlanta. Gary and Nancy lived 2 hours away and we spent countless weekends together. When Don told me we were moving I was so upset. I remember calling Nancy crying and she said, “You need to talk to Gary”. Ever the voice of reason, Gary talked to me about a man’s role in the family: to be a father, husband, and provider and how sometimes that can be hard on the family. Gary, shared with me all the times Nancy just packed up and went when he had a new opportunity. We talked for about an hour and the next morning I got up and told Don, “Let’s go!”. Don was so taken aback, “What did my dad say to you”?

I always admired this family. The closeness of three brothers, the integrity that each of them has, the support they offer one another and ultimately the unconditional love they share.

Never underestimate the impact you have on another persons life. The impact Gary has made on my life is monumental. Living with God first, living with integrity, and loving unconditionally and great generosity are just a few of the characteristics I have learned from this great man.

Gieka, you are missed but never forgotten. You will forever be the subject of great and funny stories around our family get togethers. Thank you for raising the most wonderful man on earth that I am blessed to call my husband, Don.
Lisa Jones

Family tree

Other family members
Lisa Jones
Wife to Donald Jones
Shelly Jones
Wife to Kenneth Jones
Kendra Jones
Wife to Cody Jones
Pedro Martin Del Campo
Husband to Maggie Jones
Aubree Jones
Wife to Maxfield Jones
Lauren Horne
Fiancé to Griffin Jones
Wyatt Jones
Son of Cody and Kendra Jones
Emma Jones
Daughter of Cody and Kendra Jones
Jacqulyn Johnson
Partner to Douglas Jones
Amos W. Jones
Thelma B. Jones
Nancy Jones
Sonny Jones
Donald Jones
Maggie Jones
Maxfield Jones
Douglas Jones
Cody Jones
Kenneth Jones
Griffin Jones
Baylor Jones
Sonny Jones
Nancy Jones
Donald Jones
Maggie Jones
Maxfield Jones
Douglas Jones
Cody Jones
Kenneth Jones
Griffin Jones
Baylor Jones
Gary Jones

Service


Please join us for an Open House to pay tribute to Gary Jones. This is a joyous occasion as we know Gary is in paradise, face to face with his savior Jesus Christ. We will come together to remember all that we love and respect about Gary and celebrate his promotion to heaven. 
Location
The Home of Gary & Nancy Jones 
1063 Country Club Circle
Birmingham, AL
35244
Date/time
Saturday February 22nd, 2025 from 11:00 - 2:00
RSVP

Donate

For over 40 years Gary has supported several non denominational Christian missions and ministries.  There are (2) such organizations that he and Nancy shared both a personal and spiritual relationship with. Tom & Cheryl Molinar (https://www.ogwm.org/tomandcherylmolinar) and Rick Hughes Evangelistic Ministries (https://www.ogwm.org/rickhughes). The Molinars (located in South Africa) and Rick (located in Alabama) are supported by Operation Grace World Missions (https://www.ogwm.org/). 

All Operation Grace World Ministries are sustained through the grace provision of God and operate solely on voluntary contributions of supporters. Funding is never solicited. Anyone who is motivated to support doctrinally-oriented missionary activity should do so through their own volition and with great joy.

If you are so inclined to make a donation to either of these organizations on behalf of Gary and Nancy, please click on the Contact Us section at the bottom of the website to (https://www.ogwm.org/) to submit a request to donate (electronic donations are not available)
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