The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

October 9, 2008

Jamboree to aid scholarship fund

By Jackie Ayres

Ralph Jones of Hinton was a man of all trades who taught himself everything he ever knew.

College was never an option for Jones, who instead excelled at working with his hands. He went to work at a young age and spent his life working as a building contractor. He was an honorable man who died in 2006 at the age of 77.

At his funeral, in lieu of flowers, his family asked for donations to start a scholarship fund in his name. His son, Eugene Jones, said his father devoted his life to helping others. A self-taught musician who loved the guitar and fiddle, Jones would spend much of his time visiting the VA hospital to play music for the patients.

Jones’ family wanted to start a scholarship fund in his honor and give it to a deserving high school student planning to attend a trade or technical school.

Eugene said, “There’s a lot of financial aid for students who want to go to college. Not everyone is college material.”

Jones’ family wants to give the scholarship to a unique student who aspires to be “an auto mechanic or someone who fixes plumbing or paints a house,” Eugene said.

“Dad was a building contractor and those skills are becoming lost. We still need people to work with their hands. That’s what my dad did.”

Rhodetta Jones Hamm, Jones’ wife of 56 years, said, “There are so many young, intelligent people out there who are like Ralph. He didn’t like to read and was not college material. He had the common sense and ability to do things. Anything he tried to do he excelled at.”

Rhodetta said if Ralph were here today, “this would just thrill him to no end that we’re doing this.”

The Ralph Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund will be awarded to a Summer County High School student next spring.

In honor of Jones’ love for music, a jamboree will be held on Oct. 18 to raise money for this scholarship, and Eugene is urging the public to attend. “Brown beans and cornbread, bluegrass, country and gospel music will be provided.”

The jamboree will be held in the Summers County High School auditorium from 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 for the show and dinner, and can be purchased at the door.

There will be door prizes, raffles and lots of WVU and Marshall items up for auction.

Red Dawson, a Marshall assistant football coach in 1970-71 who was portrayed in the film “We Are Marshall” will be a special guest at the event.

If you wish to make a donation to the Ralph Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund, or for more information on the Jambroee, call Eugene Jones at 304-466-4246.

— E-mail: jayres@register-herald.com

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