Terry Scott Jones

I was called home after finishing my Earthly chores to make a last run to Heaven.

Born on New Years Eve, 1956 and died in faith on Independence Day, 2023.

Born to the late Leonard and Anna (Fassett) Jones in Johnson City, NY.  If the folks had gone out dancing that New Years Eve I would have had a rude awakening.  Instead I was a last minute tax deduction.  In my early years, not afraid of work and before child labor laws, I had several jobs before and after school, including: fueling trucks, changing and recapping tires, yard jockey and working on vehicles.  My dad set me in the seat of a Brockway tractor when I was 10 years old and I’ve been putting on miles ever since.  After graduating from Binghamton North in 1976 I enlisted in the Marine Corp, following in my dad’s footsteps.  Following an honorable discharge I began a 39 year career driving tractor trailer for several companies.  Driving for Endicott Johnson for 15 years and I was one of the last 3 drivers before they shut their doors.  Driving for Walmart for 15 years I was one of their million mile safe drivers.  I was in their moving van division for years, being one of 24 teams out of over 7000 drivers that moved management across the country, and loved it.  Through my years of driving I’ve seen some of God’s most magnificent creations, the Rocky Mountains at sunrise, a beach at sunset, traveling across the painted desert and seeing the big skies of Montana and Wyoming.    I’ve met a lot of people and made some lifelong friends. After being diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis in 2014 my driving career abruptly ended and I was forced to retire, but never stopped telling my tales of driving; and 99.9% of them are true.

Unfortunately, I have to leave my best friend and loving wife Bonnielyn (Payne) until we reconnect on the other side.  I also leave behind my parents other children: Sandra (Dee) Allen, Lisa (Ron) Barton, Jennifer (Jeff Frost) Jones and Steven (Jennifer) Jones.  My good friends and brother’s in law: Franklin (Audrey) Payne, Joel (Nancy) Payne and sister in law Nancy (David) Pepin. Sadly, I leave behind Ashley (Chadwick) O’Connor and my five wonderful grandchildren who called me Papa: Joshua Chadwick, Reed Franklin, Alicia Lynn, Autumn Grace and Bristol Talladega O’Connor.  Also surviving are Uncle Lyle (Joan) Fassett, and Aunts Irene (Jerry) Rounds and Shirl DeLucia. Nephews Samuel Jones and Andrew Payne, and nieces Christine Allen, Tiffany Payne and Heather Payne. Grandnieces and nephew, along with several cousins.  I was predeceased by my parents Leonard Jones, Anna (David) Ramey, and infant sister Honey Lorel Jones.  Uncles Llyod and Levo (Wheels) Fassett, Chris Delucia and Aunt Sally Husar. Also predeceased by my in-laws Franklin and Violet Payne and nephew Jason Payne.

I want to thank everyone at the Berkshire Congregational Church, where I am a member for all their love, prayers and continued support over the last few years.  Also, the Berkshire Fire Department, Ladies Auxiliary and Berkshire Senior Citizens for their continued well wishes.

I also want to thank Dr. Skiff and Dr. Alwan for the years of dedicated care that they gave to me.  Thanks also to Brandi and John from Twin Tiers Home Care and Ashley from Lourdes Hospice and of course Pastor Paul.

…Terry had the personality to light up a room when he walked through the door and is said to have never met a stranger.  He had a story and joke for any occasion and loved to pull pranks.  He loved Ford and New Holland tractors, and talking about them.  Terry Loves the Lord.  He enjoyed reading the Bible and going to church and talking on the phone with his friends for hours.  Terry, being the good truck driver, loved a good cup of coffee. He enjoyed road trips in his pickup, RV life and In his younger days he enjoyed riding motorcycles and snowmobiles, making hay and raising cattle and horses.  He loved his old yellow lab Joey and the two of them would often be seen riding around in his side by side.  He was good at board games and hard to beat at scrabble or chess. He was truly joyful and loved life. Terry was so generous in spirit that he felt privileged to be able to buy a meal for an elderly person sitting alone or a soldier in uniform; never making a fuss about it.  He would never drive by someone broken down on the side of the road without stopping to see if and how he could help.  One such night, driving home from Utica in a blizzard he came upon a young couple with a baby stranded on the side of the road.  He drove hours out of his way, in the snow, to get them to their home, “because, I couldn’t just leave them there.”  And that was Terry.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 17, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Berkshire Congregational Church, with Pastor Paul Kunik officiating. There will be a period of visitation at the church beginning at 10:00 AM until the time of the service.  Per Terry’s request, in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the church in his name; or buy a stranger a cup of coffee and sit down and listen, really listen, to their story.   A celebration of Terry’s life will occur in the Fall.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Perkins Funeral Home, Dryden online condolences can be left at www.perkinsfh.com