In Memoriam: Doug Jones
Douglas Freeman Jones, 68, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away on November 27, 2021, in Converse, Texas, while visiting his children and grandson for Thanksgiving.
Visitation will be held at 5 pm on December 19th at Demaine Funeral Home in Alexandria, VA. Funeral services will be held at Pillar Church of Woodlawn on December 20th at 10 am with Pastor Brian Collison officiating. Burial will follow at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Alexandria, VA. Additional details on his funeral arrangements can be found at RememberingDoug.org.
Doug was born in Dayton, Ohio, on May 26, 1953, to Lois and Freeman Jones. From an early age he was a talented athlete and leader, lettering in Varsity Football and Baseball at Mount Vernon High School. Doug served as the Football Team Captain, was selected as the team’s Most Valuable Player, and maintained active membership in the Key Club. Amidst his plethora of extra-curricular activities, Doug also performed exceptionally well in his academics. He graduated in 1971 with opportunities to play football at the United States Naval Academy, Yale, and the University of Virginia. He accepted a football scholarship at the University of Virginia where he took the field as a Wahoo wearing number 41. He led the team in interceptions during his sophomore year as a starting defensive back. Continuing his legacy of success both on and off the field, Doug became a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and graduated in 1976 often making the Dean’s List.
When his father, Freeman, passed in 1979, Doug joined his mother, Lois, in the management of the family business, Rent-All Center. The business was a staple of the Mount Vernon community for over 40 years. Lois retired in 1999 and Doug co-owned the business with his sister, Judy, until they retired in 2017. While managing his responsibilities at Rent-All, Doug continued to remain involved in sports well beyond his college years. He coached his sons Matt and Charlie in baseball, basketball, and football. In 2002 he coached the Woodlawn Little League 9 & 10 Year-Old All-Stars all the way to the State Championship tournament. Doug served as the Membership Director for Woodlawn Little League and a local announcer for Mount Vernon High School baseball (aka the “Voice of the Majors”).
Doug was actively involved in the local business community, serving as a member of the Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce since 1981 and the Chairman of the Board from 1997-1999. Under his leadership, membership doubled and the Chamber was recognized as one of the fastest growing chambers in the Washington metropolitan area. He represented the Chamber on the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation and the Area I Superintendent’s Community Advisory Council. Doug was appointed by Governor Jim Gilmore to serve as a member of the State Executive Council for At-Risk Youth and Families in 1999. Then, in 2011, he was appointed by Governor Bob McDonnell to serve as a member of the Board of Visitors at Mount Vernon Estate. Later, in 2017, Doug was recognized as the Citizen of the Year by the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce. Doug held numerous other community and business leadership positions including President of the Virginia Equipment Rental Association and Vice President of the Woodley Hills Elementary School Parent Teacher Association.
Doug’s community involvement did not stop with local business or youth athletics, as some of his most prominent service was his involvement in the local Republican Party. Doug served as the Vice-Chairman of the Mount Vernon District of the Fairfax County Republican Committee from 1998-2000, Chairman from 2000-2015, and the Woodley Hills Precinct Captain from 1993-2021. A passionate grassroots campaigner, he could be found regularly knocking on doors during election season or working polling sites on election day. In 1971, when the 26th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, Doug had his first opportunity to exercise his civic duty. His first significant political experience occurred later when he volunteered for the 1972 Richard Nixon campaign. His political service spanned close to 40 years and included involvement in nearly every Republican campaign in Northern Virginia. Some of his notable campaign involvement includes serving as the Fairfax County Co-Chair for Bob McDonnell’s Gubernatorial campaign in 2005 as well as George Allen’s Senate campaign in 2006. Doug had a passion for his community and carried himself as a true gentleman in his political work. Doug always enjoyed the opportunity election day gave him to visit with friends, neighbors, and acquaintances – regardless of political affiliation or voting preference.
Doug is preceded in death by his parents Lois and Freeman Jones.
Doug is survived by his sons Charles and Matthew Jones, his daughter-in-law Morgan Jones, sisters Judith Jones Beyer and Kathryn Jones Campbell, and grandson Thomas “Brody” Jones.
