Samuel Eli Jones, 83 of Washington, passed into Heaven at 11:35 am on March 18, 2021 at the Deaconess Heart Hospital in Evansville, IN. He was surrounded by his family and the wonderful loving nurses of the hospital.
Sam was born on November 9, 1937 at home in Washington to Benjamin Harrison and Hallie (Spainhour) Jones who preceded him in death. He was from a family of 7 and the youngest being born
late in his parents’ life. He was the baby of the family and was treated as so according to his siblings. His brothers and sisters, all who preceded him in death, were Elizabeth Horton, Don Jones, Joan (Lemon) Henson, Bert Jones, Mack Jones, and Olive Jones.
Sam attended Jefferson Grade School and graduated in 1955 from Washington High School. During his time at home, he worked the family farm alongside his Dad and brothers and worked for a short time at John Deere in Washington. He joined the United States Army Reserve and served out his boot camp in Fort Leonard Wood Kentucky with his long time, and beloved friends Dale Fields, deceased, Leon Cornelius and Tom Norton, both surviving.
He enjoyed farming and the work of the land, but his heart was moving him in a different direction. He loved the mechanics of the gas-powered engine and was always striving to make the engine work more efficiently and faster. He was a man that loved a challenge and if he was told he could not do something, he would prove you wrong. Drag Racing became a love and a way to put forth his competitive spirit in action. In 1959 he married Donna (Vowell) Burger, still surviving and they had 2 children, Jeff (Robin) Jones and Joelyn (Brandt) Powden all of Washington.
He served as a mechanic at McDonald’s Chevrolet to provide for the family and while doing so, began perfecting his craft and love for high performance racing. Dale Moody, Sam, and brother Mack Jones became the minds and muscle behind the 1937 Gold CC/Gas Super Charged Chevy Coupe. In 1961 and 1965 the team won the World Series Title for their class. In 1962, 1963, and 1964 they won the NHRA Nationals. Many other titles as well. He later worked at O.D. Neff and Sons and met Wally Dougherty, another lover of drag racing and they partnered together as Moody, Jones, and Dougherty Performance Racing Center on Hwy 50, beginning another race team for their 1969 Pontiac Firebird taking their families to the race track every weekend.
On March 24, 1979 Sam married Madonna (Seal) who preceded him in death. This marriage gained him 3 more children. Doug (Angie) Dougherty, Dorinda (Jerry) Martin and Greg Dougherty. He worked at Pike Automotive for several years and then with his son, Jeff, started the business of Jones Engineering, serving as engine builders for drag racing, sprint car and midget series racing as well as pulling trucks and tractors, expanding their business to many other countries on the globe. Sam retired, and Jones Engineering merged with Weld Tech of Brownsburg, to become 1 Way Technologies. Sam did not stop there. As a retired lover of racing, he got involved in the SEGA series and built a car to use as a platform to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Sam’s Grandchildren are Jeri Smith (Scott Chanley), Brandon Barnard, Tyler (Jenna) Jones, Ryan Lenahan, Joshua Bissey, Jeremiah Bissey, Alyson Dougherty, Derek Dougherty, Joe (Ashley) Miller, Bryan Miller, Marilyn (Chris) Stevens, and Scott (Hilary) Martin. He has 15 Great Grandchildren and 1 Great Grandson due in May. He was blessed with 1 Great Great Grandaughter as well. He has a big family and was close to his nephews and nieces and many wonderful longtime friends that he considered his family. He considered that he had another son as well. Jose C Argueta, wife Miriam and their daughters Madonna Joelyn and Katia. Sam was a lover of People and was a GIVER of anything to help someone else.
Friends may visit with Sam’s family from 4-8 pm on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, 2020 State St., Washington, IN and from 10 am until the hour of service time of 11 am on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home. Sam’s funeral service will be conducted by Brother’s Eddie Willis and Jeff Jones and Sam will be entombed in Sugarland Memory Gardens. The Jones family requests memorial contributions be made to South East Gassers Association, 164 Prince Rd., Columbus, NC 28722. Online memories may be shared with Sam’s family and friends at www.goodwinsieversfh.com. Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is honored to assist the Jones family with arrangements.
