Tennessee men’s basketball associate head coach Tony Jones learned Tuesday that his father had been killed.
Jones had traveled to his hometown of Detroit in search of 86-year-old Clarence W. Jones, who had been reported missing.
Vols head coach Bruce Pearl confirmed the tragic news late Tuesday night.
“Tony went back earlier today (Tuesday) when he learned his father had been missing a day-and-a-half,’’ Pearl said. “His father was delivering Meals on Wheels to a friend when he apparently walked in on a robbery.’’
Pearl said he knew Clarence W. Jones — nicknamed “Sonny J’’ — as the ultimate family man and sports fan.
Pearl was an assistant coach at Iowa when he recruited Bill Jones, Tony’s younger brother, to play with the Hawkeyes in 1986.
Bill Jones went on to play for the New Jersey Nets and Pearl became lifelong friends with the Jones family, staying in touch with Tony Jones and later hiring him as an assistant at Wisconsin-Milwaukee before bringing him to UT.
“The Jones family is as close of a family as there is,’’ Pearl said. “Sonny J was very involved in all of his children’s lives.
“He was a huge sports fan who loved all of the Detroit teams, and he loved the Vols because that’s where Tony coaches, and he loved Iowa because that’s where Bill played.’’
Tony Jones attended a family reunion in Detroit with his father last week.
Clarence W. Jones, who would have turned 87 next week, had five children and 21 grandchildren.
Jones agent, Jared Karnes, issued a release confirming a murder investigation is ongoing.
“Coach Jones and his family are in Detroit and greatly appreciate the prayers and support of the university, the fans, and members of the Knoxville community during this very personal situation,’’ Karnes said.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 31
xvolx writes:
Sorry about your loss Mr. Jones. God be with you and your family.
Goodvol writes:
My family hurts for you and your family. Prayers sent to Tony and his family.
tdtnsee writes:
Tony we love you,so sorry for your loss,may god be with you in this terrible time..
chad_t31 writes:
A man simply trying to do a good deed. His reward is now at hand. My prayers are with you Jones family.
Vol_FAN_atic writes:
My prayers go out to you and your family.....May God comfort you in this time!
blitzshoot writes:
Very tragic. Godspeed.
TDBama writes:
That's awful. Prayers go out to the family in this difficult time.
SEC__Headgear writes:
If the U.S. were to be given an enama, Detroit is where the tube would go.
Such a good man doing nothing but good killed sincelessly. Our country is morally bankrupt. This kind of thing really makes me angry.
chargervol writes:
This is a sad situation. Some people need the help of others. One of the helpers have been taken. It impacts the needy. Mr. Jones was doing a great community task. All of our prayers go out to the Jones family. May they find peace and comfort. Thank you to the Jones family for your father's impact on our society. A caring human being, what a concept. This world needs more Mr. Jones. GO VOLS!!!
brianarauch#206642 writes:
That is terrible. I hate to hear that someone trying to do such a good thing (Meals on Wheels) ended up in this situation. My grandfather delivered Meals on Wheels to those that were unable to get out on their own for many years. He talked about how rewarding it was many times. Makes me just sit back and shake my head. Our thoughts are with you and the rest of your family coach.
MidTennVol writes:
Coach Jones, awful to read about this. Terribly sorry for your loss.
Maybe this year can be "Sonny's Season." We know it will be for you.
God's comfort to you and your family.
cmoore7 writes:
Prayers to the Jones family.
Bigger_Al writes:
Sounds like a great man who did great things supporting others. Coach Jones is a sign of that. Many sympathies.
volfan#207874 writes:
Heaven's gain is earths loss. May God in his infinite wisdom comfort the Jones family.
InertGas writes:
It sounds like your father was a good man. Our prayers are with you and your family.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Very sad times for this family.
May God bless them all.
halloffamebowler writes:
SEC,I will have to agree with you.There are so many people doing the wrong things.It is a sick feeling to know that the United States Of America,being the greatest Country on the face of the earth, has people like this believeing they can do whatever they want without regards toward their fellow man.There are those that do not believe in God and that is their right.But I have never Known a real Christian that cause this kind of trouble.If this Country dosen't get back the morals it was founded on,and put God in control,our children and their children will and already are in a heck of a mess.This was a useless and stupid crime.I hope the killer is caught and given the death penality.God bless the Jones family.
LDDFC912 writes:
JOHN 3:16..... My prayers are with you
oldsmokey67 writes:
You are in my thoughts and prayers.May god bless you and your family.
volboy81 writes:
this is very sad to hear. God bless the Jones family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
Prayers out to the Jones family... And to think something like this would take him away...delivering meals on wheels. That's such a wonderful cause, I've worked in conjunction with that program, and it does such a wonderful thing to people who might otherwise starve to death. No sin goes unpunished, and the people who did this will meet their punishment someday. Until then, God bless your family!
RoadTrip writes:
Peace and comfort to you and your family, Coach. The Vol family has your back and will be be praying for you during the coming days. Our Lord will set things right and already has for your father.
AugVol writes:
This guy delivered Meals on Wheels. Yet again, I'm asking God why is it the good ones are taken. God Bless the Jones family.
AWOLVol writes:
My family is so sorry for your tragic loss, Coach Jones. We are honored by your association with UT, as well as - by extension - that of your whole family. In the loss of your father, we have all lost a member of the Big Orange Family. Our prayers are with you and the community he called home. He stayed and served when he could have abandoned his home. That's an amazing example for others to follow. Heaven knows all communities could use more men who led by example as your father obviously did!
God's peace to you and your family!
dgentryvol#212691 writes:
My prayers are with the Jones family in this time of great loss. May God grant you the peace that only He can at such a tragic time.It makes us sad, but Sonny J is having a great time delivering spiritual meals on wings instead of wheels now.
chrisw2967 writes:
My thoughts and prayers are with the Jones family.This is a tragic situation for him and his family and the Big Orange nation will rally around him and his family.What a sad day.
RockyTopVolFan writes:
I grieve for you in your loss Tony, your Father was a good man and died helping others. He must have felt blessed to have had good health at his age to daily benefit other people, he obviously was a doer and a lover of life. I am sure he was very proud of you as well Tony for your accomplishments, deeds, and success.
I give nothing to the evil actor(s), but Heaven has received a gift as sure as one was taken from us all. My deepest condolence to you and those who knew and loved this man.
PoochPuntOn3rdDown writes:
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
mbradshaw1#655539 writes:
Our thoughts and prayers will be with you T.J. I hope things get better in Michigan soon so some of this nonsense can stop. I just wish there was something I could do for you and your family. God bless.
10cvols writes:
Terribly sorry to hear this sad news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Coach Jones.
slambob2#228938 writes:
Delivering Meals on Wheels. Wow. What a statement about his values and his heart. He must be in the presence of the King right now.
I pray that the killer will turn his life around so he doesn't have to pay the awful price in eternity for this crime.
God Bless the Jones family.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.