Bluefield, Virginia - James H. (Jimmy) Jones passed away on July 12, 2026.

Born in 1934 to R.C. "Wimpy" Jones and Violet Gibson Jones, Jimmy grew up in the Virginia towns of Crab Orchard and Richlands. He graduated from Richlands High School at sixteen and headed to Concord University. While there, he played with the Concord Commanders Orchestra and founded his own jazz group, the Jiving Five. He later earned a master's degree in music from Radford University.

What started as a high school romance in Richlands turned into a secret elopement in 1953. Jimmy, an eighteen-year-old college junior, exchanged vows with Patty Sue Cole, a seventeen-year-old recent high school graduate.

After graduating from Concord University, Jimmy and Pat relocated to Bluefield, Virginia, where Jimmy launched his career as Band Director at Graham High School. Under his talented leadership, the Graham High School band built a legendary legacy, likely holding the record for the most consecutive Division I ratings at the Southeastern Band Festival. For thirty-six years, Jimmy stood in front of a band or a classroom and changed lives one piece of music, one student, one conversation at a time.

Jim regularly adjudicated and conducted all-state, regional, and county bands across the Eastern Seaboard. Publishers would also send him new music to grade for quality, and instead of pocketing fees, Jimmy negotiated for Graham High School to keep the music.

Jimmy's time at Graham High School was interrupted when he entered the United States Army National Guard at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and later attended the Advanced Basic Armored Officers School. He was activated during the Berlin Crisis and was honorably discharged with the rank of First Lieutenant in 1963.

Introduced to golf at age seventeen by his brother Hugo, Jimmy discovered a lifelong obsession. As a founding member of Fincastle Country Club, he proudly held the course record for many years. He later shared this deep passion as the golf coach at Graham High School, where his former students still fondly recall his lessons on golf and on life, as well as his slightly off-color jokes.

Jimmy's deep commitment to civic duty was central to his life. His leadership in Bluefield, Virginia, began with his election as mayor in 1970—a role he held for ten years—and continued decades later during his tenure on the town council from 2010 to 2019. He was elected to the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors in 1992 and served for twelve years, including a decade as chairman, and later served on the Tazewell County School Board. Endlessly devoted to his community, Jimmy was a passionate advocate with strong ideas for the area's future growth.

Beyond his music career and public service, Jimmy was volunteer choir director and an active member of First United Methodist Church in Bluefield, Virginia.

Jimmy is survived by his daughter Julia, her husband Bachir Mihoubi and stepson Zak Mihoubi of Atlanta, Georgia, and son-in-law Kent Bryson of El Cerrito, California. He is also survived by his granddaughter Chelsey Bryson of Honolulu, Hawaii and grandson Sam Bryson of Oakland, California, as well as other dearly loved extended family. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pat, and his daughter, Melanie Bryson.

Jimmy and his family are forever grateful to everyone at Ridge Care Assisted Living Facility for their love, kindness, and care.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a charity of your choice.

A celebration of Jimmy's life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at First United Methodist Church in Bluefield, Virginia. Visitation begins at 11:00 AM, followed by the service at 12:00 PM. Family and friends are warmly invited to share favorite stories and memories.