Thomas Farrell Jones of Auburn, Alabama passed away on March 14, 2019. He was born on August 17, 1934 in Rome, Georgia to Luther Alexander Jones and Jewel Rogers Jones. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 19th at 11:00 a.m. at the Founder’s Chapel of Auburn United Methodist Church (AUMC) in Auburn, Alabama.
Visitation with the family will be at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, 1500 Frederick Road, Opelika, Alabama, on Monday, March 18th from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Internment will be at Auburn Memorial Park and will be officiated by pastors from AUMC. Mr. Jones was an honor graduate of Griffin High School in Griffin, Georgia. He graduated from Auburn University (API) in 1956 with a B.S. Degree in Economics.
Graduate work was taken at the University of Southern California and at New York University where he received the M.A. Degree in Educational Administration. Advanced graduate work was also taken at Auburn. He served his country as a Naval officer on active duty from 1956 to 1959.
He served in Naval Reserve components until 1976. He was a long time member of Kiwanis clubs in Griffin and Auburn. Mr. Jones served as a member of the Auburn Public Library Board for eight years and president of the Board for the last two years.
He dedicated the new City of Auburn Library on May 6, 2001. His education career included work as a teacher, principal, and administrator in Georgia public schools. After his first year of teaching at Griffin High School, he was appointed to his first principalship, becoming the youngest principal in the State of Georgia.
His leadership was instrumental in the desegregation of the Griffin-Spalding County school system. He also served in leadership positions in Georgia in a number of statewide professional organizations. After retirement in Georgia, he and his beloved wife, Tobi, moved to Auburn in 1988.
He was employed with Auburn University for 11 years in the College of Education, Department of Curriculum and Teaching. After his final retirement from Auburn, he continued to enjoy living in the college town atmosphere Auburn offered. He was an ardent supporter of Auburn University in both academics and athletics.
Love of family was the primary focus of Mr. Jones’ life. He was extremely proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and enjoyed family activities throughout his life. He was dedicated to physical fitness, exercise and outdoor activities.
Mr. Jones is survived by his devoted wife, Eleanor (Tobi), of 56 years; children Michael Jones of Fairhope and Susan Jones Nesmith of Auburn; grandchildren Makenzie Jones, Aaron Jones, Tommy Nesmith and Jacob Nesmith; and great grandchildren Brandon, Eliza, Emmit and Ezrah Nesmith. Other living survivors include Kim Shanklin Jones, Charles (Bud) Nesmith, Lynn Rogers, Marle Tober Dunnington, Amy Nesmith, Dick Jones, Linn Dee Jones, Johnny Vick, Janice Vick, Resa Gossett Aiken, Nancy Shanklin, Jim and Kathy Nesmith along with their children Connor and Blake, and additional loving relatives. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Auburn United Methodist Church or to the Auburn University Foundation.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home directing. www.
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