Norman Eugene Jones

Mr. Norman Eugene (Gene) Jones, age 85 of Calhoun, passed away Friday, January 22, 2010 at Gordon Health Care following several years of declining health. He was born in Gordon County on December 30, 1924, son of the late Emory and Nannie Mae Jackson Jones, and was retired from Echota Cotton Mills after 43 years.

Mr. Jones was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corp, serving in WW II. He was a Radio Operater and Machine Gunner on a Flying Fortress in the 408th Airborne, flying 35 missions over Germany, and fighting in the Battle of the Belgium Bulge on Christmas Eve, 1944. He was a member of the Echota Baptist Church, serving as a deacon and church treasurer for 40 years. He was a Sunday School teacher and a member of the church choir, taught Vacation Bible School, and a leader of the Royal Ambassadors. Mr. Jones loved the outdoors, was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed gardening. His hobbies included hunting and playing golf, having had three hole-in-one events. He was a devoted husband and father, and enjoyed his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Evelyn Elizabeth Bryson Jones; a son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Sheila Jones of Calhoun; a daughter and son-in-law, Reva and Chester Utz, Jr. of Resaca; and a sister and brother-in-law, Sheila and Gene Camp of South Carolina. Five grandchildren, Justin Utz, Nathan Utz, Caroline Utz, Sarah Jones, and Tyler Jones; and a great-grandchild, Ava Marie Utz also survive.

Funeral services for Mr. Norman Eugene (Gene) Jones will be conducted Sunday, January 24th at 3:00pm from the Echota Baptist Church, with Rev. Phillip Anderson and Rev. Don Walters officiating. Interment will follow in the Chandler Cemetery. Active pallbearers include Tyler Jones, Justin Utz, Tommy Jones, Jack Lyle, Lindsey Jackson, and Michael Langston. Honorary pallbearers will include active and inactive deacons of Echota Baptist Church, the Men's Sunday School Class of Echota Baptist Church, and Jack Morris.

The family will receive friends at Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home Saturday from 6:00pm until 9:00pm. In addition to flowers, donations may be made in Mr. Jones' name to the Echota Baptist Church Building Fund, 35 N. College Street, Calhoun, GA 30701.

Online condolences may be expressed and the guestbook signed at www.maxbrannonandsons.com. Max Brannon and Sons Funeral Home is conducting the funeral services for Mr. Norman Eugene (Gene) Jones, of Calhoun.