Donald Gary Jones, 70, of Columbia, passed away on June 18, 2023. He was born September 26, 1952 in Columbia, SC. He attended Eau Claire High School and graduated cum laud with a Bachelor's Degree in business administration from the University of South Carolina. His first job was a CPA at Peat, Warwick, and Mitchell in Grenville, SC. He returned to Columbia and worked at J.W. Hunt. Eventually, he opened his own CPA firm.

He was the son of the late Edwin Paris Jones of Columbia, SC and Ruby Mae Murph of St. Matthews, SC. His mother owned and ran a general store through the Depression and WWII until 1968. His father was an air technician in the Air Force during WWII, and served in the Air National Guard until his retirement.

Donald was an accomplished musician, playing multiple instruments. He began with his high school band where he played the trumpet. Later, he sang and played with two bluegrass bands, Amick Junction and Cottonwood, playing the mandolin.

He also became a member of the Godfrey Dreher Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was captain of the militia which travelled around the state for ceremonies to mark the graves of Revolutionary patriots.

Donald is survived by his daughter, Kennerly Jones Bast, of Columbia, SC, and her fiancé, Tommy Manning; his granddaughter, Abigail Bast; his grandson, Kirk Bast; and his sister, Barbara Jones.

The memorial service for Mr. Jones will be held at 6:00 o'clock on Monday, June 26, 2023 at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Extension, Columbia, SC 29223. The family will receive guest one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dup15q Alliance which raises money to research genetic diseases.