Pier Dedication

Today was a very special day for my family. The owners of the Limestone Marina (Ellie and John) had a dedication ceremony for my Dad at the pier. Some of his fishing buddies approached them with the idea of dedicating the spot my Dad always fished in to his memory. They were more than happy to do so. Along with me, Tommy, Mom and Stayce, several of his friends and church family gathered today at 10:00 a.m. to honor my Dad. John spoke about how my Dad was one of their first customers when they purchased the marina about 4 years ago. He said how much they were going to miss him and how in the winter Dad was one of the few true fisherman that fished. He stood in my Dad's favorite spot to fish and said that Dad would get upset when he showed up and someone was already in that spot. He commented that the fish had a chance now. A plaque was mounted right behind my Dad's spot with a picture of him and a crappie that he probably caught in that very same spot. It reads In Memory of a True Fisherman. Fred "Papa" Jones, November 8, 1937 - May 28, 2009. Fred Enjoyed Fishing Here at this Pier for Many Years. He was One of the Great Crappie Fisherman of Our Time. Mrs. Ellie had a great idea of everyone tossing in a minnow in his honor so we all took a minnow and on the count of 3 we tossed them in. I am sure Dad was throwing a fit about us wasting good minnows. If any minnows were left from a fishing trip he nursed them and kept them alive until the next one. My Mom thanked those that made this event possible and all those for coming. Pastor Lloyd said a prayer. There were many people that only knew Dad as the Donut Man because that was his pier payment for many years when Mr. King owned the pier. I think Dad is very honored to have his spot dedicated to him.