Writer, ‘Voice of the Patriots,’ dies

A local writer, sports guru, humorist, and all-around man of many loves and talents passed away over the weekend.

Greg Jones, aka “Cheech,” aka “The Tomester,” passed away suddenly on Sept. 19. Jones was known for many things - his love of family, music and his church - but perhaps made his greatest impact as a writer, storyteller and sports announcer.

Jones was the longtime “Voice of the Patriots,” announcing and covering football games and sporting events, keeping and reporting stats, and writing about the Patrick Henry Academy Patriots pigskin squad for the hometown paper, The Hampton County Guardian.

Jones’ antics in the broadcast booth made him a school legend. He would play golden oldies and classic rock for his young audience and then yell and tell everyone to get on their feet and dance. He would also insert a great deal of humor into his sports broadcasts, from poking good-natured fun at one of his own players to ribbing the opposing team by using Biblical references such as “slaying the Philistines.”

“Greg Jones meant so much to Patrick Henry Academy,” said longtime PHA athletics director Mike McCoy. “He did all of the stats for the football program for years, he did the basketball books, and all that even before his son played. He even coached basketball once and was one of our first soccer coaches. He was always someone I could lean on and ask for advice.

“Greg would always use his sense of humor in the games, and just rip off some of the funniest one-liners,” McCoy continued. “He would keep us all entertained on long bus rides. He was just a special kind of person with his humor and his stories. The people of Patrick Henry Academy loved Greg Jones, and I considered him a great friend. It’s a tragic loss to the whole community.”

Jones was also known as a witty and humorous writer and storyteller. For several years, his “Tomes” about family and church life were shared with friends and followers via email and then later through Facebook. Most recently, Jones wrote a college football column for The Guardian, but every so often he would find himself writing about local and national politics - all with the same unique style, voice and sense of humor.

“College football won’t be the same without Greg Jones’ witty, humorous (and occasionally right) prediction columns,” said Will Hutto, a faithful follower of his writing. “I’m thankful that technology will allow me to reread all of the wonderful things that he wrote. Because of that, for me, his voice will live forever.”

When he wasn’t writing, spending time with his large family or following high school and college football, Jones found the time to serve as a deacon, Sunday School teacher and choir member at Lawtonville Baptist Church.

“Greg never put himself above others, he was kind, fair and giving to everyone,” said Charles Hawkins, a longtime friend and fellow church member. “I remember several years ago, as I was finishing a term as Deacon Chair, I told Greg, ‘I think you are sure to be selected for the next Deacon Board.’ His response was, ‘Only a crazy person would vote to elect me deacon.’ He was elected deacon in the first round.

“A year later I told him, ‘You’re going to be Deacon Chairman,’ and I heard again, ‘Only a crazy person would elect me Chairman.” Wrong again! At his passing, Greg was completing his second term as Deacon Chairman. A humble man with a joy for life, full of fun, Greg could make everyone's day better.”

Jones’ family drafted an obituary that certainly serves to immortalize his character and his life, and it is printed below in its entirety:

HAMPTON, S.C. - Gregory Carl Jones, better known as “Cheech,” danced into heaven wearing his L.L. Bean bedroom shoes on September 19, 2020, to avoid having to make a decision in the impending election. Cheech wore many hats during his time here on Earth – a husband, a father, and a grandfather to a boatload of beloved babies. He worked for Grove Medical, most days from home in his pajamas and the aforementioned L.L. Bean bedroom shoes. He was a deacon at Lawtonville Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School and also misbehaved in the choir. His scoring scale for the children’s sermon has been used for many years. Cheech was a man of questionable food preferences including, but not limited to, spam, hominy and hotel breakfasts. His enduring nicknames for his children include: “Dr. Jones” (Kelly), “The Nasty Chick” (Abby), “Dope Child” (Lindsay), and “Cornbread” (Alex).

For years he was dubbed “The Tomester” because of his rambling musings of life around him. He always changed the names to protect the innocent, or not so innocent. Many today still try to ferret out the true identities of “Mrs. Cattle Prod,” “The Assyrian Princess” and many others.

Cheech had the pleasure of going on many Boy Scout camping trips with Alex and his troop. One of his proudest moments was seeing Alex awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, followed closely by having pizza delivered to the U.S.S. Yorktown during a camping trip.

Cheech never met a stranger. Just ask anyone who works in a store or restaurant. Cheech was known for dancing down the aisles while grocery shopping, singing whatever was playing on the PA system or his own renditions of his favorite songs.

Cheech was the longtime Voice of the Patriots at Patrick Henry Academy, announcing games and playing music. Most loved his music selections; however, a player commented once that, “I’d rather crawl in a hole and die than listen to Cheech’s music”.

Cheech is survived by Jill Jones “The Smartest Woman in the World” who he entertained and amused for almost 41 years, four children, Kelly Garrett (Doug), Abby Herrington (Jake), Lindsay Brabham (Dylan) and Alex Jones (spouse to be determined at a later date), and six grandchildren, Penny, Sophie, Luke and Cooper Herrington and Lauren and Hunter Garrett, two sisters, Beverly Jones and Heather Ling, stepfather, Harry Thacker, one niece and one nephew.

By his own accounts, Cheech lived a blessed and full life, full of laughter and love. He truly was, “The Man, The Myth, The Mustache.” In keeping with the way he finished all of his Tomes, “So long and thanks for all the fish”.

A Celebration of Life for Cheech was held at 11 AM Tuesday, September 22, 2020, at Lawtonville Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Asbury Lawton and directed by Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home.

Visitation followed immediately after the service in the Sanctuary.

The family suggests that those who wish may send memorials to Lawtonville Baptist Church, PO Box 1057, Estill, SC 29918.