Thomas Jones

Thomas Kirkman Jones, Ed.D., 70, of Signal Mountain, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2014. Tom, a native of Chattanooga, was an associate professor emeritus at The University of Tennessee in Chattanooga (UTC) who taught foreign languages for over 40 years. A graduate of the McCallie School in 1961, Tom then received a bachelor's degree from the University of Chattanooga in 1965, including a certificate of studies from the University of Madrid in 1964. He pursued graduate studies at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, and received a M.A. in Spanish from the University of Illinois in 1966. After extensive traveling throughout Europe and South America and many years of teaching at UTC, Tom was granted tenure and continued his doctoral degree in Education from the University of Tennessee Knoxville in 1993, with a focus of study in the history of African Americans in higher education. Among numerous awards, academic publications, and other recognitions, he was the first recipient of UTC's College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Professor Award during that award's initial year in 1985-86. Tom was also named Outstanding Adviser 1986-87. Needless to say, over these many decades, he taught and inspired hundreds of students, many of whom have remained lifelong friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Mr. Thomas H. Jones; mother, Mrs. Ruth Parks Jones; and sister Joyce Jones. His father was the founder of Jones Printing Company in Chattanooga. Tom is survived by his loving partner, John P. Smith, of Lonoke, Ark.; second cousins, Milou Young, of Signal Mountain, and James Smith of East Ridge; several other cousins, and numerous lifelong friends and former colleagues. A memorial service for family and friends will be held at 11 a.m. today, Feb. 15, 2014, in Patten Chapel on the UTC campus immediately followed by visitation at Tom and Johns home. Toms interment will be at Forest Hills Cemetery in his family's plot. Tom is well-known for his profound love of animals, especially his dogs. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations to PETA and Wallys Friends be made in his name. Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family. Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.