Birth Date: 08/14/1938
Deceased Date: 10/28/2022
Elton “Buck” Jones, 84, of Princeton, passed away on Friday October 28th after an unexpected illness. He was born in Boon Hill Township on August 14, 1938, to Genes and Eliza Jones.
Elton was affectionately known by both family and friends as “Buck”. He was a man whose faith guided him in his daily life. As a member of Grace Baptist Church, he spent his Sunday mornings driving the church bus to chauffeur kids to and from church, until the point when he was no longer able to drive. His church “family” will deeply miss him.
As a young adult, Elton enlisted in the United States Air Force where he honed his skills as a baker. After leaving the military, he worked at a sign and pennant company, to be followed by a long career machining aircraft parts. Planes must be hidden in his genes somewhere as both of his daughters had careers in the aviation industry – Georgina with an airline, and Nannette with a company that outfitted plane interiors. I guess you could say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree!
His interests included bowling, golfing, and gardening. He maintained a sense of pride when it came to his home, yard, and garden of which he shared its bounty of fruits and vegetables with family and friends. He was quick to debate a point of contention. Even if he disagreed, he respected your right to believe differently.
The funeral service will be held at Parrish Funeral Home, 1351 South Pollock St, Selma NC at 2:00 pm on Wednesday November 2nd. The family will receive friends one hour before the service from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. The burial will follow in Fellowship United Methodist Church Cemetery in Kenly. Andy Milligan, Clinton Crosby, Tim Furey, James Gibert, Mike Huffstatler, and Darrell Hamilton will serve as pallbearers. Kyle Huffstatler will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
In addition to his wife, Vicki, Elton is survived by his daughters, Georgina and her son Clinton, and Nannette, her husband Andy, daughters Pauline and Tara, and son Andrew. He was proud to be a “Bonus Father” to Mike (Kathy) Huffstatler, Cheryl (Tim) Furey, and Debbie (James) Gibert. The title of Grandfather was bestowed upon him with a total of nine grandchildren (Pauline and Phillip DeLabio, Tara and Andrew Milligan, Clinton Crosby, Josh and Megan Gibert, Kaytee Furey, and Kyle Huffstatler), and five great-grandchildren (Phillip Trey DeLabio, Xandra Edwards, Olivia and Lacey Furey, and River Gibert). He is also survived by his siblings Roy, Earl, Jerri, and Nellie Ray, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Elton was preceded in death by his parents, Genes and Eliza, his grandson Phillip, and sisters Betty, Clara Lee, Sally, Esther, Magalene, and his brother Buddy.
