Largest single gift to Tennessee Tech Athletics creates endowment for Football Operations
August 25, 2014

Largest single gift to Tennessee Tech Athletics creates endowment for Football Operations

The Tennessee Tech Athletics Department has received its largest gift ever, which will fund the Samuel Hugh Jones Football Endowment. It was provided through Mary Ann Fox Jones of Chester, Va., who passed away recently.

 

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Tech Athletics Department has received its largest gift ever,  which will fund the Samuel Hugh Jones Football Endowment. It was provided through Mary Ann Fox Jones of Chester, Va., who passed away recently.

The gift will go to support Tennessee Tech Football Operations, and is named in memory of her late husband, Samuel Hugh Jones Jr.

“We are grateful for Mary Ann’s exceptional generosity in having committed this gift as part of their estate," said Director of Athletics Mark Wilson. “This gift will provide significant support for our football program, and the endowment will assist our student-athletes and staff in perpetuity."

Kevin Bostian, Tennessee Tech Associate Athletics Director for Development, coordinated the gift.

"The tremendous generosity of Mary Ann Jones and Samuel Hugh Jones is unmatched in the history of Tennessee Tech Athletics," Bostian said. “Their support for football will both promote the team's continued competitiveness and will have a dramatic and lasting impact on Tennessee Tech athletics, overall."

Ret. Lt. Col. Samuel Hugh Jones Jr. earned his bachelor's degree from Tennessee Polytechnic University in 1954. He was a four-year letterman on the Golden Eagle football team, lining up at both offensive and defensive guard during the 1950 through 1953 seasons, and was a member of the 1952 and 1953 Ohio Valley Conference champions. Born in Evergreen, Ala., he was a 1950 graduate of Columbia (Tenn.) High School, and later earned a master's degree from M.I.T.

He was commissioned in 1954 and was a 28-year veteran of the U.S. Army, retiring out of Ft. Lee in 1983. He earned numerous commendations and medals during the Vietnam Era and attended the Command General and Staff College in 1971. Jones also attended the Logistics Executive Development Course at Ft. Lee in 1972. He was a member of the Military Officers of America Association of the United States Army. He enjoyed golf, fishing and friends, and loved to watch football, golf and NASCAR.  At the time of his death, he was married to his high school sweetheart, Mary Ann, for 52 years.

Mary Ann Jones passed away on June 29 at the age of 79. Born in Cookeville, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late Nathan and Anna Moore Fox. Involved in Girl Scouts for 27 years, starting as a Brownie and eventually as a Camp Director in Wurzburg, Germany and Ft. Hunt, Va., she was also a member of the National Society D.A.R. and the Defense Supply Center, Richmond Women's Club since 1972.  She also taught school for five years.

All of those accomplishments came while moving 11 times with her husband throughout his military career. Her hobbies included knitting, sewing, flower gardening, arranging, arts and crafts, and playing Bridge.