Ira Lee Jones

Published 4:52 pm Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Ira Lee Jones, 73, of Bainbridge, passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Bryant Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Ken Davidson officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memory Gardens.

The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 10:00-10:45 a.m. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.bryantfuneralga.com. Memorial donations may be made to UF Health Shands Hospital, P.O. Box 100386, Gainesville, FL 32610. https://donate.giving.ufhealth.org/give/613837/#!/donation/checkout

Ira Lee Jones was born February 19, 1952, in Bainbridge, GA, the son of William & Myrtice Bailey Jones. He was a graduate of Bainbridge High School and worked 41 years with BASF as a catalyst technician. Lee was a Christian by faith.

Known affectionately as “Old Timer”, Lee lived up to that nickname with his interests in tinkering, fishing, and gospel music. Johnny Horton’s rendition of “The Battle of New Orleans” caused Lee to stand tall, sing loud, and even march on occasion. Of course, everyone chuckled at the sight which only fueled Lee’s fire.

Outside on his shenanigans, Lee tinkered on everything. If someone said, “Who can fix this?”, his name was mentioned. The children and grands quipped they had their own “Mr. Fix It”.

Survivors include his children, Shelia Ellis, Lea Ann Jones, Ira Lee Jones, Jr. (Rocky), Dana Turner (Jeff), Jamey Jones, all of Bainbridge and William Jones (Georgia) of Donalsonville; his siblings, Brenda Gilbert, Sue Myers, Shirley Cook (Elton Cromer), and Polly Phillips; and many grand & great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Lee was preceded in death by his wife of 40 years, Diane King Jones; his siblings, Charles Jones, Darrell “DJ” Jones, and Jack Jones; his grandson, John Caleb Turner; and his son-in-law, Jeff Ellis.

Bryant Funeral Home, located at 105 N. Florida Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. (229-246-3321)