William Anthony "Andy" Jones

1958 - 2020

BORN

1958

DIED

2020

About

Louisiana Tech University

William Jones Obituary

William "Andy" Anthony Jones
Hampton, CT—Andy Jones, 61, of Hampton, CT, peacefully passed away on January 25, 2020, with his family at his side after an extended illness. He was born February 12, 1958, in Raleigh, the only son of Betty Kennedy Jones and Charles William Jones. He was raised in Fayetteville and truly loved his home state. He was a starting point guard in high school and college and passed on his love of basketball to both his sons.
He received a BA in 1980 from St. Andrews College in Laurinburg and an MFA in 1982 from Louisiana Tech University in Ruston. He came to Connecticut in 1988. While he was primarily an oils and watercolors landscape painter, Andy could do anything. He was an illustrator, a printmaker, a designer, a builder. He fixed cars, stretched his own canvases, turned sugar maple sap into liquid gold, and built his home painting studio. Since 1990, Andy was an art professor at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT, where he cultivated lasting relationships with many of his students. He designed the Connecticut state quarter, issued in 1999.
Andy is survived by his wife, Deborah Grant Jones, of Hampton; his three children, Lydia Jones Hall and her husband, Matthew, of Norwich, CT, Sam Jones of Seattle, and Will Jones of Hampton; his parents, Betty and CW Jones, of Fayetteville; his three sisters, Kristy Jones Overton (Teddy) of Aberdeen, Melinda Jones Spell (Mike) of Fayetteville, and Jeanne Jones Wright (Johnny) of Myrtle Beach, SC; his two nephews, Jonathan Overton and Johnny Clint Wright; and many close cousins throughout NC. Andy's sister-in-law, Jude Grant, helped to care for him and the family is very grateful for her presence in his life.
A memorial service will take place in North Carolina in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a scholarship fund that Andy established for promising art students at Eastern: The ECSU Foundation, Inc. (note "Andy Jones Scholarship" in the memo line), 83 Windham St., Willimantic, CT 06226.

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Published by Fayetteville Observer from Jan. 30 to Jan. 31, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for William Jones

5 Entries

Robbin Zella

September 11, 2020

I met Andy Jones when I was coordinating the Akus Gallery in the 1990s and have fond memories of a warm and generous colleague. I had the pleasure of seeing the design evolution for the Connecticut State quarter. I offer my deepest condolences to the Jones family for the untimely loss of their beloved husband, father, and brother.

Galaxy, Oil by Mazsi

Andreas Halidis

June 26, 2020

Dear Andy. I will never forget the first time we sat in your class and you introduces us to the CT quarter with your art work of the Charter Oak. I am sorry that I was only able to take your 2D class; I wanted to do more painting with you but it never happened due to class schedules. You once said that I have a very good sense of color...at the time being 20, I was kinda flattered but didn't realize what you've seen. You were right and I will never forget your compliment. I am sad I didn't get to see you one last time...we miss you and love you and will always remember you as our teacher, mentor, friend, and fellow artist. Rest in peace Andy.

Sharen and Tom Peters

February 4, 2020

I was extremely saddened to hear of Andy's passing. I met Andy when he and Deb moved to Hampton in the early 90's. I worked at the bank and took his mortgage application for their new home. Andy and I developed a wonderful friendship over the years. He helped me in my endeavors when I was volunteering for the March of Dimes and I returned that gratitude when I approached the CT governor to honor Andy as the winner of the CT state quarter national contest. That honor was bestowed on Andy at the State Capitol. I am a proud owner of one of Andy's beautiful paintings and also an original lithograph of the CT state quarter.

Thank you Andy for your wonderful friendship. May you Rest In Peace.

My sincerest condolences to Deb and the entire Jones family.

Sharen and Tom Peters

I visited Andy in the Fall. He gave me apples and a jar of maple syrup

Bob Chaplin

January 30, 2020

Andy was a special soul. As well as several paintings, we have one of his special benches, hand wrought with his special touch, just below our window. And of course his Connecticut quarter will always remind us of him. We have the original painting of the old oak tree he used as a model for that. Farewell my friend

January 30, 2020

We have known Andy since he came to Hampton. We have many of his paintings that will keep him in our hearts. Our condolences to Deb and his family. He will be missed. Eunice and Ron

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