Remembering Linton Mayor Tom Jones

Posted by Indiana Democratic Party | 03/05/2011

It’s easy to get lost in the back-and-forth of politics, especially when tensions and emotions run high.

It’s so easy to get lost, in fact, that we rarely take time to thank those who devote their lives to public service, committed to representing their communities and the people who live there.

Sometimes, the opportunity to express our gratitude arrives too late.

We pause today to remember a great public servant, Linton Mayor Tom Jones, who unexpectedly passed away on Thursday at the age of 55. He was finishing his second term as mayor and had announced he was not running for re-election.

Mayor Jones – “Tommy” to anyone who met him – embodied the passion for public service that so many people talk about but never encounter firsthand.

A city employee remarked in a local newspaper story that “if somebody came in who was about to have their utilities turned off, he would work with them.”

That’s just the kind of person Tommy was.

He was a hard-working family man first, devoted husband and father to four daughters. As mayor, he not only worked to make Linton a better place, but he chaired the Indiana Conference of Mayors and was always eager to share ideas with other leaders statewide.

Jones’ funeral will take place on Monday, March 7, at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Linton with a viewing from 3-8 p.m.

Indiana has lost a great public servant, and we have all lost a friend. We will miss Tommy’s spirit and compassion, and we send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.

Democratically yours,

Daniel J. Parker
Chair