Obituary of Thomas P. Jones

Thomas P. Jones, age 70, of the Town of Floyd, passed away at home on November 30, 2018. Tom was born in Utica on March 8, 1948 to the late Warren and Patsy Smith Jones and educated in the Utica Schools. On June 28, 1999, he was united in marriage to the former Kathleen Hedrington. He volunteered and proudly served his country by enlisting in the Navy during the Vietnam War from 1966-1972, earning the National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), the Vietnam Service Medal with Four Bronze Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. After the war, he went to work for the US Railroad from 1976 to 1987, and then the New York Power Authority, retiring in May 2009 with 30 years of state service. After retirement, he found his new family at the Mohawk Glen Golf course where he worked and made so many new friends. Tom is survived by his wife, Kathleen Jones; stepsons, Sullivan (Amy) Derrick of Lee Center, and Connor Derrick of Rome; grandchildren, Ronan, Maeve, and Jon; sisters, Missy Tornblom of Portland, OR, and Colleen (Bill) Schumacher of Clifton Park, NY; an aunt and uncle, Marion and Benny Smith of FL; a special cousin, Myles (Cindy) Schneible of McKinney, TX; sisters and brother, Sue (Mark) Rabe, John (Jodi) Hedrington, Tina Giardino, Ann (Alan) Pohl, his mother and father in law, John and Vinnie Hedrington, and special friends Dan, Annette, and Braydan Granato . He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his grandmother, Mary "Nanny" Smith, and an aunt, Mary Lourdes Schneible. Tom was warm, kind, thoughtful, caring, generous, fun, and funny. He was someone people wanted to be with and be like; a true role model. Anyone who knew Tom felt honored and privileged to call him their friend. He enjoyed golfing, grilling and target practice. His memory will be embedded in our hearts. He was one of a kind in every way. We love you, we miss you, goodbye my love. Funeral services will be held on Friday at 4 PM at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 2 to 4 PM prior to the funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to RescueMe K-9, P.O. Box 758, Oneida, NY 13421, or the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8517. Please offer online condolences at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.