Neil O. Jones

December 21, 1946 - January 31, 2017

Mr. Neil O. Jones, age 70, a resident of Columbia, passed away Tuesday afternoon, January 31, 2017 at Alive Hospice in Nashville.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 5th at 2pm at Heritage Funeral Home with Bro. Rick Points officiating.  Military honors will be provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. The family will visit with friends on Sunday from 1pm until the 2pm service at the funeral home.  Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Neil was born December 21, 1946 in Dallas, Texas and was the son of the late Worley and Allene Mayo Jones.  He earned his Master’s Degree and worked as a professor at Columbia State Community College for many years where he taught English Composition, American Literature, and Film Studies.

One of Neil’s greatest accomplishments was his time spent serving in the United States Army in the 173rd Airborne Brigade, Fourth Battalion during the Vietnam War. Reflecting on his time spent in the military, Neil just recently authored a book Brothers, All which is a composite of his memories of the war and was written to remember and honor the brave men who served during the Vietnam Era. All proceeds of the book go to The Maury County Veterans Service. It was an extreme passion of his to complete this book which was published in 2015.

Neil moved to Columbia nearly 30 years ago and immediately fell in love with Maury County. He loved his Harley Davidson Motorcycles and became a member of the Maury County Hog Chapter. Neil enjoyed his walker coonhound and taking care of his horses and also had a great admiration for his guns. A genuine and thoughtful man, he made sure to always keep in touch with his childhood friends.

He is survived by his daughters: Neely (John Robert, Jr.) Anderson and  Jena (Jeremy) Dost; step daughter: Lisa (Greg) Matthews; step son: Les Martin; sister: Sonja Callicott; grandchildren: Matthew Boyd, Zack Morgan, Shelby Mathews, Sam Mathews, Thalo Dost, Cy Dost, Fox Dost, Elliana Scott, Ethan Martin, and Liv Martin.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Rebecca Diane Jones.

Honorary pallbearers will include: the Vietnam Veterans of Maury County and members of the Maury County Hog Chapter.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Maury County Veterans c/o James Patterson: 308 West 7th Street or to Columbia State Community College: 1665 Hampshire Pike, Columbia, TN 38401.