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Dr. Don Jones, former Ed Foundation director, dies at age 83

Dr. Don Jones is shown at his retirement party in 2014. [LIGHTNING FILE PHOTO]

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 27, 2022

Dr. Don Jones, a spirted advocate for education and tenacious fundraiser for student scholarships, died Wednesday after a period of declining health. He was 83.

Jones leaves a long legacy of service to Hendersonville in his professional and volunteer life, honoring teachers and school administrators through his Education Foundation job and delighting in the role of emcee of the fall and spring Kiwanis All-Stars programs at the Hendersonville Kiwanis Club.

When Jones retired as executive director of the Henderson County Education Foundation, friends, family members, foundation members and others held a farewell event to thank him.

"Dr. Jones created a profound legacy in Henderson County and I am confident that he will remain active in supporting education in our community," Graham Fields, president of Henderson County Education Foundation, said in a news release when Jones retired in April 2014. "His work has left an indelible mark on Henderson County and positively impacted the lives of numerous local students over the last 10 years."
The Henderson County Education Foundation experienced unprecedented growth under Jones's leadership first as a board member, then as executive director. He oversaw the expansion of the Henderson County Education Hall of Fame, dramatically increased the number of college scholarships for students in the county and helped create numerous grant programs that directly impacted teachers and students.
"The Henderson County Education Hall of Fame is the only one of its kind in Western North Carolina and one of only a few educational hall of fames in the entire state," the foundation's vice president at the time, Dan Poeta, said in 2014. "The Fall Golf Classic he worked to develop has become one of the largest golf tournaments in the region and the new School Sponsorship program will partner businesses with local schools."
A coach, teacher and motivational speaker, Dr. Jones worked tirelessly to connect local companies and philanthropists with deserving students in the area. Even the business community recognized his contributions to workforce development by honoring him with the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce's Education Champion Award.
"Dr. Jones is a natural fundraiser and his passion for education is evident to everyone he meets," said Steve Gwaltney, Treasurer of the Henderson County Education Foundation. "He used his many gifts and talents to better the lives of countless students and teachers in our county."

When Jones left Wofford, he joined the Army, which put him in charge of athletics and recreation at Fort Sill, Okla. A lieutenant colonel wanted Jones to upgrade the base's football team. "If you do a good job, I might get promoted," the colonel told him.
Jones drops names again, this time of GIs that played for him: Herb Adderly, an all-pro cornerback, and Dick Nen, who played baseball for the Washington Senators.
After his Army discharge, he worked for Berry College for 11 years. He married Patsy Farmer Jones in 1962. He was director of Camp Kanuga for seven years, then started a motivational speaking business. He mostly rallied the sales reps at car dealers.
"Richardson gave me some motivational confidence," he told the Hendersonville Lightning in 2014, recalling how his friend would urge the quarterback in the huddle, "Throw it to me. I can catch it." Jones stuck with what he knew. He used slogans from coaches. "Make something happen," for instance, from Bear Bryant. Might sell a new Galaxy 500.
Under his leadership, the Education Foundation grants grew from four scholarships a year to 63, worth $150,000. Establishing the Education Hall of Fame fundraising banquet was another achievement he was proud of. "It's been a sellout all 12 years," he said in 2014. "It's one of only five in North Carolina and the only one in Western North Carolina."

A funeral has been set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at First United Methodist Church.