John Franklin Jones

John Franklin Jones passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 8th, 2025, at Piedmont Athens Regional, at the age of 73 surrounded by family and friends.

John, a native of Blairsville, GA, graduated from Union County High School in 1970. He earned an associate's degree from Young Harris College and a BBA in marketing from The University of Georgia.

While working at UGA experimental station in Blairsville, John learned about apple cultivation from his father and Dr. Jack Taylor. This work experience along with his marketing degree led him to take a position as an orchardist in Wilkes County, planting and managing one of the largest apple orchards in Georgia. It was in Wilkes County where he met his future wife, Peggy Davis and stayed to make Washington his home.

John’s love for the North Georgia mountains continued after he moved to Washington. He was known for welcoming friends and family to the deer camp, where they enjoyed mountain style cooking, blue grass picking and grinning, story telling and John’s one liners. He referred to himself as a “grinner” since he wasn’t a picker. He was an avid sports fan, following the Braves, Falcons and most importantly the Georgia Bulldogs.

Johns is survived by his devoted wife, Peggy Davis Jones; son, Charles “Charlie” Clayton Jones of Washington, GA. and his granddaughters, Maddisyn and Oakleigh Jones of Harlem, GA. He was a faithful husband, devoted father and the best “Big Daddy” to his granddaughters.

He also leaves behind his sister, Patricia Thomas of Blairsville, GA; brother-in-law, Ervin Thomas and sister-in-law, Wanda Jones of Blairsville, GA; Eloise Conner (Bill) of Clayton, GA, Judy Kirkland of Washington, GA; and Vicki Lee of Athens, GA, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his son, John Parker Jones, his parents, Frank Jones Jr. And Mary Ann Jones, his brother, Ben Jones and his sister, Ayme Thomas.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects during a visitation on Thursday, June 12, 2025 from 2:00-4:00 PM, at the Chapel of Hopkins Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow at 4:00 PM, officiated by Rev. George Pate and Rev. Jimmy Chapman. An additional memorial service will be held in his hometown of Blairsville on June 13, 2025 at Mountain View Funeral Home, 78A Butternut Crossing, Blairsville, Georgia 30512.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly request donations be made to the Wilkes County Ramp Ministry, Clark Station Baptist Church, c/o Casey Jackson, 2924 Newtown Road, Tignall, GA 30668.

Arrangements are provided by Hopkins Funeral Home. John Franklin Jones will be deeply missed by all that knew him, but his legacy of love, laughter, and friendship will live on in the hearts of those he touched.