George Jones

George Shepard Jones, a resident of Shaftsbury Hollow, and son of Francis 'Shep' and Margaret (Peggy) Dodd Jones, passed away peacefully December 16, 2015 following a 4-1/2 year battle with brain cancer.He was born October 5th 1958 in the 130th Station Hospital in Heidelberg, Germany, and thoroughly enjoyed growing up as a Military Brat in many places around the world. He graduated from Zweibruecken American High School in 1976. He greatly enjoyed taking a college class visiting the various places in Patton's march across Europe, which led to a lifelong interest in military history and the people who made it. He attended the Munich Campus of American University for his Freshman year, completing his degree in International Studies at the Washington, DC campus. While there he was very active in the college radio station. He heard that opportunities existed in Montana, so shortly after graduating, jumped in his car to seek his fortune there. He landed a job in the technical aspects of Radio/TV in Glendive, the first town after he entered the state. During his year there he became a active member of the Jay-Cees. Upon his return to Vermont, he found employment as a technician and later in sales with TV Station WNNE in White River Junction and quickly became a leader in the New Hampshire Jay-Cees. In January 1986 he joined the family rental business, and bought his small house in Shaftsbury Hollow. He was recognized for his service to the New Hampshire Jay-Cees with the coveted Granite Statesman Award. He was an avid bowler and was Secretary of the local association for many years. He was a member of teams competing in the national tournament several years, and an active participant in state and local events. He was a Charter Member of the Catamount Rotary Club. Following the sale of Ez-way Rental in 1998, he worked for a year with the new owner and then accepted a position with the software company that developed programs for the Rental Industry. Rather than dealing with the hassle of opening an office in Vermont, they opened one in North Adams from which he alone worked. He later joined their office in Springfield, MA commuting to a small room each Monday and returning home every Friday in time for bowling. With the onset of his brain tumor in 2011, which precluded travel, they arranged for him to work from home, which he did until the end of September 2015. He was recognized with the American Rental Association Region One "Man of the Year" award at the National Convention in 2012. The award is rarely given to an industry supplier. He was devoted to his many friends and extended family. He is survived by his father, Francis 'Shep' Jones, his brother Franklin B Jones (Lori) of Shrewsbury, MA, sisters Carol B Sawyer (Tom) of West Rutland, VT ,and Sarah E Lein (Don) of Albuquerque, NM, and 14 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother and a niece.He has donated his remains to the University of Vermont Medical School. A service celebrating his life will be conducted at the convenience of the family. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Bennington Free Library, or the SVMC Cancer Center. To send the family personal email condolences, please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com. A service celebrating his life will be conducted at the convenience of the family