COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech Athletics
Department has received its largest gift ever, which will
fund the Samuel Hugh Jones Football Endowment. It was provided
through Mary Ann Fox Jones of Chester, Va., who passed away
recently.
The gift will go to support Tennessee Tech Football Operations,
and is named in memory of her late husband, Samuel Hugh Jones
Jr.
“We are grateful for Mary Ann’s exceptional
generosity in having committed this gift as part of their estate,"
said Director of Athletics Mark Wilson. “This gift will
provide significant support for our football program, and the
endowment will assist our student-athletes and staff in
perpetuity."
Kevin Bostian, Tennessee Tech Associate Athletics Director for
Development, coordinated the gift.
"The tremendous generosity of Mary Ann Jones and Samuel Hugh Jones is unmatched in the history of Tennessee Tech Athletics," Bostian said. “Their support for football will both promote the team's continued competitiveness and will have a dramatic and lasting impact on Tennessee Tech athletics, overall."
Ret. Lt. Col. Samuel Hugh Jones Jr. earned his bachelor's degree
from Tennessee Polytechnic University in 1954. He was a four-year
letterman on the Golden Eagle football team, lining up at both
offensive and defensive guard during the 1950 through 1953 seasons,
and was a member of the 1952 and 1953 Ohio Valley Conference
champions. Born in Evergreen, Ala., he was a 1950 graduate of
Columbia (Tenn.) High School, and later earned a master's degree
from M.I.T.
He was commissioned in 1954 and was a 28-year veteran of the U.S.
Army, retiring out of Ft. Lee in 1983. He earned numerous
commendations and medals during the Vietnam Era and attended the
Command General and Staff College in 1971. Jones also attended the
Logistics Executive Development Course at Ft. Lee in 1972. He was a
member of the Military Officers of America Association of the
United States Army. He enjoyed golf, fishing and friends, and loved
to watch football, golf and NASCAR. At the time of his death,
he was married to his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann, for 52
years.
Mary Ann Jones passed away on June 29 at the age of 79. Born in
Cookeville, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late Nathan and Anna
Moore Fox. Involved in Girl Scouts for 27 years, starting as a
Brownie and eventually as a Camp Director in Wurzburg, Germany and
Ft. Hunt, Va., she was also a member of the National Society D.A.R.
and the Defense Supply Center, Richmond Women's Club since 1972.
She also taught school for five years.
All of those accomplishments came while moving 11 times with her
husband throughout his military career. Her hobbies included
knitting, sewing, flower gardening, arranging, arts and crafts, and
playing Bridge.