James Lonnie Jones

James Lonnie Jones, 56, of Woodstock, GA, passed away Saturday, June 1, 2013, at Tranquility Hospice at Kennesaw Mountain in Kennesaw, GA, after a short illness.

Lonnie was born in Millen, GA, in 1957 and moved to Metter shortly afterwards when his parents opened James Jones Insurance Agency in Metter. He attended David Emanuel Academy and was an honor graduate of Metter High School. He was the STAR Student of the Class of 1974 of Metter High School. He was a very good basketball player winning many awards and was a gifted guitar player. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America where he was Order of the Arrow and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a member of Metter United Methodist Church.

After graduating from high school, he attended Georgia Institute of Technology (GA Tech) where he was a member of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. He received the Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1978.

Lonnie had a 30 year career with the Georgia Department of Transportation. Early in his career, he was project engineer on the I-75-I-85 interchange (Spaghetti Junction) in Atlanta. He served as Area Engineer for White County and later worked in the State DOT office. He was responsible for implementation of the computerized signs that are used on interstate highways throughout the Atlanta area. He was a member of the National Transportation Board for many years. He retired as Construction Liaison Engineer in 2008.

Survivors: wife, Barbara Slayton Jones of Woodstock; a son and daughter, Trevor Jones and Morgan Jones, both of Atlanta; three stepsons, Dallas Hoade (Lauren) of Decatur, Brian Hoade of Richmond, VA., and Malcolm Hoade of Jupiter, FL; parents, James and Martha Jones of Metter; sisters, Elaine (Ed) Boyd and Suzanne (Wiley) Tyson, both of Metter; grandchildren, Abby Aiden, Sophie and Peter Hoade, all of Decatur; and nieces, Melanie (Brian) Martin of Alpharetta, Stephanie Boyd of Reidsville, and Jackie and Angel Jarvis of Metter.

Memorial services will be held 2:00 PM, Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at the Metter United Methodist Church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Rosemary Cemetery. Please sign guest book www.kennedyfuneralhomechapels.com. Kennedy Funeral Homes, Hooks Chapel, of Metter is in charge of arrangements.