George Karlton “Karl” Jones, Jr., who owned and operated the Selma Funeral Home in Valley Grande for the last 17 years, passed away Saturday, Oct. 5 at his home.

Jones was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to George K. Jones and the late Faye Renshaw Jones.

Jones was described by his associates at the Selma Funeral Home as a man with a Servant’s heart for the people of the Selma – Dallas County area.

“He would do whatever it took to care for the families he served as a funeral director,” said Shane Ogle, one of Jones’ fellow funeral directors at the Selma Funeral Home. “He was the kind of guy that would give the shirt right off of his back if he had to.”

Ogle described Jones as having a great sense of humor, but also knowing when to be serious.

“He knew how to be the right person at the right time for the families he served,” he said.

Darrin Yarbrough, another fellow funeral director at the Selma Funeral Home, said that Jones treated his staff like family.

“We would always say that we worked with him, not for him,” said Yarbrough. “I’ve been here for 11 years and from day one he was always a great guy.”

Yarbrough said Jones went above and beyond in his level of servitude when both his mother and brother passed away.

“He went way overboard,” he said. “He did a lot of things that other [funeral] directors probably wouldn’t do.” he said.

Darrin said that he and Ogle, who has been named funeral home manager with Jones’ passing, will continue the legacy Jones has built over the years.

In addition to his family and staff, Jones also loved to fish.

Jones and a group of friends traveled to Canada each year to participate in their favorite pastime.

“We would look forward to going each year,” said Mark Rouleau, a close friend of Jones. “We would talk about going all year long and as soon as we got back we’d start talking about it again.”

Rouleau said the annual fishing trip was a great bonding experience for the group each year.

“When you spend three days in a car driving up there and then hours and hours in a boat you get pretty well acquainted,” he said.

Rouleau said that Jones was the life of the party each year.

“He was a heck of a guy,” he said. “He was one of my best friends.”

Jones is survived by his wife, Amy Jones; his sons, Chance Tierce, Devon (Katelyn) Stough, Cory Wharton, and Taylor Haugen; grandchildren, Braylen Stough and Blakely Stough; father, George K. Jones, Sr.; siblings, Cynthia (Ronald) Epperson, Kim (Mike) Burk, and Alan (Kristi) Jones; mother-in-law, Mary Patterson; sister-in-law, Sherry Hill; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Faye Renshaw Jones and his beloved dog, Luke.