PHOTO: On Sunday, friends and family of Hunter Jones, who tragically passed away in an ATV accident earlier in the year, gathered to dedicated a new basketball court in Crossville's Town Park. (Marla Jones | Southern Torch)
Marla Jones, Sports Editor
CROSSVILLE, Ala. — Sometimes, as a Sports Editor, you see a young athlete and you know, without a doubt, that they have great potential and you look forward to seeing what they accomplish. Hunter Jones, of Crossville, was that athlete. I had the privilege of meeting Hunter, while covering his brother, Blanton Jones, in football and basketball. Tragically, on Friday, April 28, 2017, Hunter was involved in a fatal ATV accident. A young star taken too soon.
Hunter excelled in sports. Hunter was an All-American young man, playing basketball for Crossville Jr. High, baseball, traveling baseball with the Bearcats, Jr. High football, soccer, golf, skateboarding, fishing, hunting, the Crossville 4-H club, and was a member of the Crossville First Baptist Church where he was involved in the youth group. He lived life to the fullest. He was in the sixth grade at Crossville Elementary. He was already talking to head soccer coach, Will Brock, about playing on the Crossville Soccer Team as a seventh grader.
In lieu of flowers the family requested that donations be made to Liberty Bank, for a memorial to be determined at a later date. On Sunday, friends and family gathered at Hunter’s Blacktop Dedication, a new basketball court at the Crossville City Park in memory of Hunter Jones. Hunter’s favorite dessert, Krispy Kreme doughnuts were served.
“I am overwhelmed by emotion once again. Today was a perfect day,” said Hunter’s mother, Leah Jones. “I am grateful for friends, family and others in the community who participated in Hunter’s Blacktop dedication. There is no doubt in my mind that my little boy touched so many people and he did make a difference in this world.”
Hunter is survived by his parents, Brent & Leah Blanton Jones; twin sister, Riley Jane Jones; brother & sister-in-law, Peyton & Jacque Jones; brother, Blanton Jones; grandfathers, Jack Blanton and the late Mary Blanton and Benson Jones and the late Woneta Jones; Special cat, Ralph; uncles, Tim Blanton and Kent & Gina Jones; cousins, Tatem & Pierce Jones.
I will never be able to write a sports story about my friend, Hunter Jones. A precious life taken too soon. We do not always understand why bad things happen to good people.
In times like these, we have to turn to God’s word found in John 13:7, Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” In honor of Hunter Jones, go play a game of basketball with your children and remember, we must be “One town, one team, one family, #crossvillestrong."
