Dennis Lloyd Jones

Dennis Lloyd Jones, 72, died Friday, March 1, 2024, at home in Cartersville, Georgia after a short battle with aggressive bladder cancer. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Virginia Jones. His surviving siblings are Leon (Beth) Jones, Linda (Ron) Dodge, Douglas Jones, and Suzanne Jones.

He is survived by the love of his life, wife of fifty years, Nena Jones; children Erick (Karen) Jones, Phoenix Calandrella, Erin (Jeffrey) Freeman, grandsons Graysen Jones and Drayten Jones, as well as many nieces and nephews, and his faithful dog Ollie and cat Catoosa.

Dennis was born in Seattle, Washington, but most of his childhood was spent in Orange County, California, where his family moved in 1960. Being the fourth of 5 children, he often lived up to his nickname “Dennis the Menace.” During high school he was active in drama and a Master Counselor in DeMolay. He graduated from Villa Park High School in 1969, where he met his wife to be. He graduated from the University of California at Irvine, and they married in 1974, by the lake of Lake Hills Community Church.

They moved their young family to Georgia in 1978, planning to stay a couple of years, but Georgia became home. They lived first in Marietta, then Woodstock for over 30 years, before moving to Cartersville and Ringgold in their appointments of the church. He loved his family who lived through his favorite hobby: building and renovating the family home. He especially enjoyed ‘knocking down a wall,’ which he was known to do while Nena was working a 24-hour shift at the hospital. He found pride in his work and in making something better and more beautiful.

Dennis wasn't afraid of taking on a new challenge, as evidenced by his many careers, from restaurant manager to fireman to business owner. He returned to college to earn a degree in nursing from Kennesaw University, going to work at Piedmont Hospital in the ICUs. He then ‘fell’ into his career as an emergency preparedness coordinator, becoming the Georgia State Director National Bioterrorism and Hospital Preparedness and used that experience as a consultant and vice president at Collaborative Fusion and Intermedix before retiring in 2014.

Dennis stayed busy in retirement as he supported Nena’s 2nd career as a pastor, embracing his role in the pastoral family, and volunteering in the community. He helped cook church dinners and organized or participated in dozens of church events from Trunk or Treat to playing Santa Clause. Dennis went on several mission trips in Central America and in the US. One of his biggest personal accomplishments was his pilgrimage, walking all 480 miles of the El Camino de Santiago in Spain in 2018. He also cherished the relationships he had as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Volunteer, helping children and their families.

Dennis and Nena enjoyed many vacations in the States, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and Central America, including cruises. He often talked about retiring internationally to Nena’s dismay.

He was politically passionate, loving his country and its Constitution, and would happily spend hours debating anyone willing to engage.

If you talked to Dennis, you heard a story or many, maybe one about how he and Nena met. He loved bragging about his children and grandchildren. He loved being with people and wanted to make a difference in the world - which those who knew him would say that he did.

He left this life with some sadness, having hoped to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at the end of the month with a big celebration. But he died in peace, confident in his faith recognizing how God has so blessed him, being assured of his reception into glory.

We will have a celebration at Trinity United Methodist Church in Cartersville, GA on Saturday, March 9 at 11:00 AM, officiated by Rev Dr Shannon Karafanda and Rev Dr Bill Burch, preceded by visitation at 10:00 AM and Friday evening from 5 to 6:30 at the church. Donations in his memory can be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 814 West Avenue, Cartersville, GA 30120.