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Tom Jones, shown in photo at left as head coach at then-Troy State University in 1972 and at right with his wife Evelyn later in life after retiring from coaching, has died at the age of 90. (Photos courtesy of Troy University)

TROY, Alabama - Former Troy State University football head coach and athletic director Tom Jones passed away on Tuesday at his home in Lowndesboro. Jones was 90.



Visitation will be Friday at White Chapel Greenwood Funeral Home in Montgomery, Ala., from 5-7 p.m. The family is asking for donations to the American Diabetes Association in the memory of Coach Jones in lieu of flowers.



"The thoughts and prayers of the Troy athletics department and Troy University are with the family of Coach Tom Jones," Athletic Director John Hartwell said. "The outpouring of support his family has received from the Troy Family since his passing expresses the tremendous impact he had on this university. Coach Jones served as a great ambassador for Troy University and for amateur sports in Alabama. The number of young lives he influenced will be his legacy."



Jones served as Troy's head coach in 1972 and 1973 and led the then Red Wave to a Gulf South Conference title in his final season. Jones' squad finished 6-1 in the Gulf South, which included a run of six straight wins by a combined 143-37 margin.



Jones was an assistant coach at Auburn (1966-71) under Shug Jordan and coached the Tigers' freshman team. Prior to Auburn, Jones was the head coach and athletic director for 11 years at Robert E. Lee High School in Montgomery and was the head coach at Hayneville High School for seven years.



A native of Tallassee, Jones was standout at Troy as both a football and baseball player. Jones was one of the first inductees into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.



A Navy veteran of World War II, Jones is survived by his wife of 64 years, Evelyn, his son, John Tom Jones (Pam); daughters, Paula Turner (Marion), Joni Leigh Combs (Gary), Susan Valerie Jones; sister, Bill Ham; brother, Thomas Melvin Jones; and three grandchildren.

-- Submitted by Troy University