Thurman Ferrell Jones, 83, passed away suddenly on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at the N.C. Veteran's Home in Fayetteville, N.C. Thurman was born on June 3, 1933 in Johnston County, N.C. to the late George M. Jones and Verdie Jordan Jones.

As a young man, Mr. Jones served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He then spent the remainder of his career in the service station business. He managed Avery Upchurch's Exxon Station on Peace St. in Raleigh for most of his career and retired from the Glenwood Village Exxon. He loved his customers and counted many as friends.

Thurman's other passion in life was bluegrass music. He enjoyed attending bluegrass festivals as long as he was able, especially the annual festival at Bass Mountain. He was a consummate player of the mandolin and also made and fashioned many mandolins by hand during his lifetime. Thurman continued to play the mandolin until the day he died and would often play for his fellow residents at Capital Towers and the VA home.

In addition to his parents, Thurman was preceded in death by his brother, Melton Jones; and his second wife, Sheryl Williams Jones. He is survived by his daughter, Tonya Jones Zucker, and husband, David; his grandchildren, Ashley and Michael Zucker; his first wife, Shirley Hayes Jones; his brother, Landis Jones; and his sister Linda Faye Jones Franz.

It was Mr. Jones request that his body be donated to the Wake Forest University Medical School so that some future good might come from his death. The family would like to thank Dr. Martin Janis and the staff of the N.C. Veteran's Home in Fayetteville for their dedicated service in caring for Thurman.