Dawson Stokes "Buck" Jones

Dawson Stokes “Buck” Jones of Cayce, passed away peacefully at home on March 24, 2026. Born in Batesburg, SC, he was the son of the late Boyce C. and Theola Merchant Jones of Saluda.

A graduate of Brookland Cayce High School and Palmer College, he also attended the University of South Carolina. He retired from Thomas & Howard Company, Inc. as Vice President of Operations.

After enlisting in the US Navy, Buck worked for the Lexington County Sheriff’s Office, first as a deputy and later as Chief of Detectives. He also served with the York County Detention Center. During his distinguished career in law enforcement, he received the inaugural J.P. Strom Award from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy and remains the only individual to have won both that honor and the Bert Friday Award.

An Eagle Scout, Buck carried the traditions and values of Scouting with him throughout his life. He was past Scoutmaster for the St. David Lutheran Church Explorer Scouts. He was a member of Platt Springs United Methodist Church in West Columbia.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Dryer Jones of the home; two daughters, Laura Jones Wanger (Larry) of West Columbia and Robbin Jones of Cayce; two grandchildren, Cameron Mitchell of Rolla, Missouri and Savanah Balsiger (Christian) of Greenville; three great-grandchildren, Adley, Riley, and Celeste Balsiger, all of Greenville; a brother, Calvin Jones (Barbara) of Batesburg; and three step-sons, David Muller of Blackstock, Mark Muller of Jefferson, and Shawn Muller of Cayce;.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Eleanor Whitesides Jones.

Buck was the grateful recipient of a lung transplant, a gift that extended his life and time with those he loved. In honor of his life and legacy, the family encourages others to consider becoming organ donors.

The memorial service for Mr. Jones will be held at 3 o’clock on Friday March 27th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service beginning at 2 o'clock.

Memorials may be sent to Smyrna ARP Church, 3141 Legion Rd, Smyrna, SC 29743.

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.