Gary Wilmer Jones

Gary Wilmer Jones of Myrtle Beach, SC, formerly of Rock Hall, MD, died on Friday, October 23, 2015, as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident. He was 57. Gary was born on December 22, 1957, in Chestertown, MD, the son of the late George Edward Herman Jones and Connie Lee Price Jones. After graduating from Kent County High School, he joined the Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company in December of 1976. He held numerous positions including – Fire engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief and Chief, Ambulance Captain, and administrative offices of Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and President, as well as Board of Director. He was one of the first ALS providers in Rock Hall serving as a Certified Rescue Technician. He was also an instructor for MFRI and MIEMSS. In addition to his membership with Rock Hall Volunteer Fire Company, Gary was also a member of Chestertown Volunteer Fire Company and served as Kent County Medical Examiner for many years. On matters of fire service interest, Gary was known to be an innovative and forward thinker. He was quick to embrace methods and concepts that made firefighting inherently safer and more efficient. He was always confident and eager to share information and opinions with his peers. Gary recognized early on the importance of stress debriefing for First Responders after critical incidents. He helped usher the concept into practice within the emergency services framework in Kent County. He was also one of the first in Kent County to do incident command. On one of the Popes prior visits to the United States (prior to this year), Gary provided an EMS crew and ambulance from Rock Hall to stand by at BWI. Many would say Gary was a true leader and a great mentor. Gary also enjoyed and was quite adept at playing most musical instruments, especially the piano and organ. He played for many churches, weddings and funerals. He is survived by his sister and her husband of Myrtle Beach, SC, Vicki and Sam Lewis; two nephews, S. Lee Lewis of North East, MD and Cody S. Lewis of Myrtle Beach, SC; one niece and her husband, Tori and Jason Brooks and their two daughters, Annabelle & Addison, also of Myrtle Beach, SC; and a very special young lady, Alyssa Austin of Dover, DE, who was like a daughter to him. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 7, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown, MD.

Gary Wilmer Jones

December 27, 1957 - October 23, 2015