Benjamin Robert Jones

Ben R. Jones, 85, of Knoxville, died Feb. 10, 2022, after a long life of accomplishment as a craftsman, educator, outdoorsman, storyteller, husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Ben was born Dec. 14, 1936, in the Sandlick community of Claiborne County, Tennessee, and moved as a teenager to Knoxville, where he graduated from Fulton High School. He worked as an appliance service technician and taught at the State Area School, then returned to Fulton, where he taught cabinet-making for 24 years and touched the lives of countless students. Ben loved working in his cabinet shop at home, too, where he made many beautiful projects cherished by friends and family.
Ben was an avid hunter, fisherman and nature conservationist throughout his life. He worked with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to develop and coordinate the Tennessee Hunter Safety Education Program and for years taught parts of the course and hand-graded the written exams. Ben never tired of sharing his love for nature, and friends will remember forever his generosity, his sense of humor, and his stories woven over a lifetime.
Ben was preceded in death by his parents, Bass and Verna Jones; sister, Martha Jean Price; and brother, Kermit Jones. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Waggoner Jones; son, Robert Jones (wife Kim); daughter, Susan Sheppard (husband Todd); grandson, Zeke Flatford; granddaughter, Christina Jones; and sisters, June McClain and Evelyn Harrison.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dee and Summer with Amedysis Hospice Care for their care and patience.
The family will receive friends Friday, Feb. 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. with a memorial service to follow officiated by Rev. Steve Mealor at Stevens Mortuary, 1304 Oglewood Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.