Funeral held for Westminster coach Gary Jones who died at Lake Oconee

ATLANTA - A somber crowd gathered Friday to say goodbye to Gary Jones, a longtime teacher and track coach at the Westminster Schools, whose life and legacy has left a profound mark on the Atlanta community.

What we know:

Funeral services for Jones began at noon at Elizabeth Baptist Church on Cascade Road in southwest Atlanta. Lines of students, colleagues, friends, and family members stretched outside the church, as mourners waited to pay their respects and sign a memorial book filled with heartfelt memories.

Jones, affectionately known as "Gary Good Guy," was remembered not only for his passion for coaching and teaching but also for his deep faith and commitment to mentoring students.

One friend shared that his lifelong friend lived for his students and Jones always said a prayer about being present and intentional and making sure he did his job by making sure his students walked out and thrived in life, not just survive. 

What they're saying:

Jones’ longtime friend Thomas Morris said Jones was called to the classroom. "Twenty-two years ago, God called him out of darkness into his marvelous light. Just as he delivered Jonah from his self-serving plans, Gary was placed exactly where he was meant to be: to teach, coach, advise mentor and support God’s precious children.

Jones has four brothers, and they all came up to speak about the light and love their brother brought into their family. His younger brother Sean Jones said, "my brother has always had my back since I can remember. He instilled belief in me from very young. I always wanted to beat Gary in anything, and growing up from elementary school to high school, I always wanted to be just like Gary," said Jones.

Jones’ three children also spoke about their father. They thanked the hundreds of people who came to the church Friday, saying their father showed them love and kindness and taught them to love learning and helping others. "My dad and I are both in love with school, we love school and we bonded over that," said Gary Jones’ daughter, Jasmine Jones.

Justin Jones, Jones’ son, spoke next. He said he and his brother would help their father on construction projects anytime they had a break from school. "As I get older and I sit back and reflect, he was teaching us a lot of values and life lessons and important things during those times, and I’m extremely grateful for those times, and I am who I am because of my upbringing and how he raised us."

Jason Jones then spoke about his father’s lessons in faith. "Dad, you did your job, we are righteous, we are embedded in Christ."

Reverend Antonio Long, Jones’ Cousin, delivered a eulogy. "He was the definition of love thy neighbor," said Long. "Though our time with you has ended Gary, your memory will live on in our hearts forever, goodbye ‘Good Guy’, well done thy good and faithful servant, well done."

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The backstory:

Jones spent more than two decades at Westminster, a private Christian school in Atlanta, where he served as a teacher, advisor, and head of the track and field program. Friends say he lived to serve others and found true purpose in supporting what he called "God’s precious children."

Jones and his fiancée, Dr. Jocelyn Wilson, had planned to marry this month. The couple was celebrating his 50th birthday at Lake Oconee on Feb. 8 when tragedy struck. Their empty boat was discovered that afternoon, and Wilson’s body was recovered the following day. It took search crews 22 days to find Jones. The causes of death remain under investigation.

The coach will be buried at a nearby cemetery.