Gary "Slick" Lee Jones

Gary Lee Jones ("Slick"), was an essence of life, character, knowledge, humor and music, which will remain with us always.

He passed away the early morning of February 29, 2024, exactly one month from his 68th birthday (March 29, 1956). Born at Crab Orchard, WV, he was a student of music and this passion extended to anyone lucky enough to be one of his students. Thanks to his long, meaningful career as the Band and Choir Director at Shady Spring Junior High School, Gary's knowledge, love of music, and "Jones-isms" will continue to live on.

"Slick" had a quick wit, and a sharp sense of humor that was uniquely his own. Jones found joy and entertainment in every situation.  If you were lucky enough to know Gary well, you know about the five-hour chats that seemed to pass in moments, and incredible words of wisdom that spouted from a thick country accent, yet sounded like they were coming from a formal English Scholar.  He was modest, honest, and compassionate.  He leaves a huge impact on everyone that knew him.

Mr. Jones had powerful musical influences, beginning with the great Al Staten, at Woodrow Wilson High School, then with Dr. "Doc" Martin, and Harry Rich at West Virginia Institute of Technology.  Upon his graduation from Tech in 1978, he taught one year in McDowell County, before beginning his 35-year legacy at Shady Spring. He told Michelle James, Register-Herald Lifestyles Editor in July of 2015, "We worked so many hours, but that was the only way I knew how to do it".  "That was a lot of success".  "Work longer and harder".  "That and I just had good kids, I was very lucky."  The reality is, that his students were the lucky ones.

About a year after retirement from teaching, Jones began his own towing company. The business: A+ Towing, was used to supplement his teaching retirement income.  He worked hard to do the best job he could, which comes to no surprise to anyone who knows anything about Gary Jones.  The man was a very hard, dedicated, worker.

Words can in no way sum up the life of such a beautiful person, but is a small glimpse into knowing him.  He is survived by many loved ones, including: his older brother Kenneth Eugene Jones Jr., younger sister Elizabeth (Libby) Moye and her husband, Paul Randy Moye their children Adam Lee Moye, Joshua Ray Moye (wife Deanna), and Rebecca Ann Walls (husband Michael) and their four boys, Dakota, Caleb, Trevor and Blake. He also left behind thousands of colleagues, students and friends.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Eugene Jones and Pauline Ann (Link) Jones, and several close friends, who he is without a doubt reunited with now.  He is driving anything with wheels, eating all of his favorite meals (with his loving mom's home-made spice cake for dessert), playing music and most importantly laughing.

Even though Gary's time was cut way too short here by cancer, he had a life well lived.  He can be heard in the minds of many, "What it is? What it is?", as his existence will inspire all of us for many years to come.

Funeral services  will be conducted at the Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home Shady Spring Chapel on Wednesday, March  6, 2024 at 1 PM with Pastor Ronnie Stover officiating. Entombment will  follow at Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum in Beckley. Friends may visit with the family from 6 PM until 9 PM on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Adam Moye, Josh Moye, Michael Walls, Randy Moye, Chris Godfrey, C.H. Mitchell and Gary Allen

Condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be directed  to the family via our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net .

Arrangements are by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home Shady Spring Chapel,  729 Flat Top Road, Shady Spring, WV.