Samuel David Jones

Psalm 116:15: "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants."

October 21, 1947- January 7, 2026

Samuel David Jones, age 78, entered into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, surrounded by his family at Holston Valley Medical Center following a brief illness.

Sam was a devoted husband, son, brother, grandfather, friend and a good, good father. He was a native of Church Hill, Tennessee and lived in the Colonial Heights area of Kingsport, TN all of his adult life. Sam graduated from Church Hill High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee. He retired in 2006 after 37 years of service in human resources at Eastman Chemical Company.

Outside of his professional life, Sam enjoyed playing the guitar and was a talented wordsmith, poet, songwriter and storyteller. He was also an avid Richard Petty, Tennessee Vols and Washington Commanders (Redskins) fan. Most importantly, he loved his family, and his greatest joy was coaching and supporting his children and grandchildren in their sports and activities. Sam was the definition of selfless. He spent his life devoted to sacrificially serving and giving to those he loved. Affectionately known as G-Daddy, his children and grandchildren have had a glimpse of what their Heavenly Father is like by being so unconditionally loved by him. Sam accepted Jesus at a young age and was a long time, devoted member of Colonial Heights United Methodist Church, where he served in various volunteer ministry roles over the years and had many dear friends.

Sam was greeted in Heaven by his parents, Hancil and Flora Jones, and his beloved brother and sister-in-law Harold and Bonnie Jones.

He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Linda Wells Jones; his daughter, Kristen Osborne (Jeremy) of Kingsport; son, David Jones (Cara) of Knoxville; and five cherished grandchildren: Noah Johnson, Karson Osborne, Brady Osborne, Gavin Jones and Caitlin Jones; niece, Amy Jones MacKenzie (Jim), and nephew, Daniel Jones (Angela), along with many cousins and friends.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 17, 2026 from 11:30 until 1:00 at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Home in Kingsport. A celebration of Sam’s life will follow with Reverend Tim Paul officiating. Burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park.

The family would like to thank Dr. Kyle Caron, the 6th floor staff and the W3 floor hospice staff at Holston Valley for their compassionate and devoted care of Sam during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the children and youth ministries of Colonial Heights United Methodist Church: PO Box 6027 Kingsport, TN 37663.