Donald Jones

Donald Wayne Jones, 75, of Nashville, Tennessee passed away at home, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, December 29, 2019. Born on October 23, 1944 in Princeton, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Harold Sam and Lillian (Creekmur) Jones.
Once named by The Tennessean as The Most Powerful Man in Metropolitan Davidson County Government, Don was a respected and well-loved legal advisor to the city of Nashville for over 43 years. He graduated from Caldwell County High School in 1963 and went to Georgetown College. He earned his undergraduate degree from Murray State University, then went on to Tulane Law School on a full scholarship, graduating in 1970. He practiced law privately in Kentucky until 1977 when he became Director of Law in Nashville under Mayor Richard Fulton. Don was then a partner in the law firm of Dearborn and Ewing before returning to work for The Metro Government as Attorney to the Metro Council until he retired in 2016. Don also enjoyed teaching as an adjunct professor at Belmont University and Nashville School of Law where he was beloved by his students. He served on The Belmont University Board of Trustees for six years.
Don was an avid golfer and enjoyed his golf group at Hillwood Country Club, where he twice served as president, and Temple Hills Country Club where he golfed in his later years. He was also a gifted musician, and he never passed up the opportunity to watch his three daughters play sports and perform musically. He later enjoyed watching his seven wonderful grandchildren do these same activities.
He was very proud to serve as a member of the Benevolent and Protective order of Elks. He joined as soon as he was eligible at age twenty-one. Upon his graduation from Tulane, he assumed a leadership role in Princeton Lodge 1115. Don continued to hold many leadership positions with the order of Elks, including being elected president of the Kentucky Elk Association in 1983.
Don was an active and faithful member of Immanuel Baptist Church, Nashville, Tennessee for 42 years. He took great pride in teaching his Sunday School Class, spending days preparing his lessons. Over the years he taught the Royal Ambassadors, a boys' mission study, he sang in the choir, served as a deacon, deacon chairman, church treasurer, and on many committees.
Don is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 52 years, Sue McConnell Jones; along with three daughters; Suzanne Dillard of Nashville, Tennessee; Jennifer Bennett of Mill Valley, California; and Donna Greek of Nashville, Tennessee. Don truly valued his relationship with Donna's husband James and loved him very much. He was blessed with seven grandchildren; Ashton Dillard, Addie Grace Dillard, William Bennett, Oliver Bennett, Henry Donald Bennett, Lofton Greek, and John Thomas Greek. He is also survived by his brother Sam Jones (Linda Kay) of Princeton, Kentucky, and preceded in death by his sister Judy Jones Smith.
The family will receive visitors on Wednesday, January 1, from 5:00-7:00pm, at Immanuel Baptist Church, 222 Belle Meade Blvd. There will be a memorial service on Thursday, January 2 at 1:00pm at Immanuel Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Betty Wiseman Mission Fund at Belmont University, 1900 Belmont Blvd., Nashville, TN 37212. Please indicate that your contribution is in memory of Donald W. Jones.