Randy Neal Jones - L.O.D.D.

Lieutenant Randy N. Jones was critically injured in a vehicle accident on Swann Road on Monday, July 28, 2003. Randy and fellow Firefighter Pete Morrison were responding together to a reported structure fire on West Page Hager Road when Randy's vehicle lost control leaving the roadway. Randy was airlifted from the scene and sadly pronounced dead at Baptist Hospital upon arrival.

Randy was 23 years old and has been a member of the Cool Springs Volunteer Fire Department since he joined as a Junior Firefighter in May of 1997. Randy was awarded the Fire Chief's Award in 1998 and he was named Medical Responder of the year in 2001. Randy was promoted to Lieutenant in May of 2002.

Randy was also an active member with the Iredell County Rescue Squad. He joined the Rescue Squad as a Junior Member at the age of 14 and maintained the rank of Rescue Captain until his death.

Randy was one of the most active members of the department. As of July 2003, Randy responded to 106 calls out of the departments total 270 calls. Randy was great influence to young firefighters because he always took the time to teach new or young firefighters about the job.

Members always looked up to Randy.  "If we heard Randy on the scene of a medical call, we knew the patient was in good hands," some would say.  This was true because Randy took such pride in the medical responder program, again taking time to help members learn about the program and emergency medical procedures.

Randy was employed by Terry's Carpet Care and is survived by father David N. Jones, mother Patricia Pendleton, a twin sister Brandi Jones, a sister Tiffany Jones, and a brother Scott Jones. Maternal grandparents surviving are Earl Sherril Jr. and Inga Sherrill of Statesville.

In emergency services there is a brotherhood that brings each member close together. This brotherhood extends worldwide and when a fellow brother is lost, everyone feels this pain.

The Cool Springs Volunteer Fire Department wishes to express our sincere appreciation to everyone who assisted us throughout the passing days after his death.  We received an overwhelming response from fire departments and rescue organizations nationwide. Iredell County departments assisted with manning our stations and participated in the services.  Out-of-county departments sent apparatus and personnel to stand by. Churches, pastors, and citizens in the community provided food, prayer and support to our department and the Jones Family during this difficult time.  And for this, we are eternally greatful.

Special Thanks To:
Retired Cool Springs Fire Chief Maurice Jenkins and his wife Glenda
New Hope Baptist Church
New Salem Methodist Church
Paul Webster
Fire Marshall Chuck Gallyon
Brian King, NC State Firefighter's Association Chaplin

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