Thomas Eugene Jones

The service for Mr. Jones will be live streamed on the Facebook Page of Fisher Memorial Funeral Parlor.

Thomas Eugene Jones was born June 16, 1949, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to the late Benjamin Franklin Jones, Jr. and the late Edna Mae Watson Jones.  He departed his earthly life on May 15, 2021, after an extended illness.  

Thomas married Juanita Arlene Davis on November 19, 1983. From this union, two children were born – Darin Thomas and Edna Nicole. “TJ” was a loving and dedicated father and husband, coaching Darin’s little league baseball teams and enjoying family time at the beach. One of his favorite activities was having crab-eating contests with Edna, and as Edna grew older, she was most often crowned the winner.  He equally loved and looked forward to their frequent family fishing trips and eating their fresh catch. Thomas also cherished annual family Christmas trips with his extended family.

As a youngster, “TJ” attended the Knoxville City Schools, graduating from East High School. He went on to attend Knoxville College where he received a Bachelor of Science degree.  While at Knoxville College, he joined the Beta Phi chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.  Thomas, known by his family and close friends in Knoxville as “Tommy” and in Durham as “TJ,” loved baseball.  He played through his undergraduate years at Knoxville College, and he picked the sport back up when he arrived in Durham, where he played modified pitch softball and baseball with several Durham teams.  Thomas was always interested in science and attended the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor where he received a Master of Science degree.

Never really liking the cold Michigan winters, Thomas eagerly interviewed with Burroughs Welcome Pharmaceutical Company where he accepted employment and moved to Durham. He remained employed with the pharmaceutical company throughout its transition to now Glaxo.

Being a social person and always enjoying meeting people, TJ built a stronger than biological bond with several guys that has remained, to this day.  There’s nothing these guys (David Sellars, Thomas Ross, Harold “Rod” Sellars, and Christopher “CC” Fisher) would not do for each other and their families. 

Thomas is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Juanita Davis Jones; his son, Darin Thomas Jones (Ashley); his daughter, Edna Jones Houge (Matthew); sister, A. Sylvia Jones Brown; brother, Michael Eugene Jones (Tammy). He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, four with whom he grew up like siblings (Antoinette Brown Elsberry, Anthony Brown, LaTashia Brown Legette, and Benji Bonner). TJ held a special place in his life for his first and only granddaughter, Zoe Victoria Jones, and he was a dedicated co-caregiver for his mother-in-law, Juanita Davis-Ross. Thomas was predeceased by a sister, Thelma Jones Bonner and a niece, Jeannie Bonner Lewis. He is also survived by a wide circle of friends who admired his jovial personality and friendship.

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