In Memoriam

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Image of Patrick McIntyre handing a certificate to Jim Jones in a historical home

Former THC staff member Dr. James B. Jones died May 13, 2025 at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife Cynthia and his son and granddaughter. With a tenure spanning 35 years from 1984 to 2019, Dr. Jones was among the longest serving employees in the history of the agency. In the 1980s he served as the first Certified Local Government Coordinator after the program was established. He was a prolific author of many articles as well as multiple books, including Every Day in Tennessee History, published in 1996. In addition, Dr. Jones served as editor of the Courier for many years until his retirement six years ago. He also created and oversaw the Tennessee Civil War Sourcebook (available online at Tennessee State Library and Archives), which is a lasting legacy and a wealth of information for researchers.