Prominent Forsyth County businessman and community member Leon Jones died Monday at the age of 76.
At 13 years old, Leon went to work at North Georgia Rendering where his first paycheck was in the amount of $51.85. Three years later, he went to work full time at the rendering plant.
The following year, the owner of North Georgia Rendering Co., Leland Bagwell, believed in Leon’s work ethic and thought it was time for him to own his own business. He loaned him the money for his first truck and took the payments out of his checks.
In 1970, Leon was asked to become a partner in Lanierland Music Park, where he joined with CE Samples, ML (Shorty) Hamby, his brother Robert Jones and later Tommy Bagwell. Leon and Tommy remained partners until Lanierland closed in 2006 after 36 years of bringing some of the biggest acts in country music to Jot-em-Down Road in Forsyth County.
In business, Leon continued his entrepreneurship by becoming a partner in Countryland Golf Course and Ampro Products. Leon Jones Feed and Grain grew bigger than he had ever dreamed to a fleet of over 100 vehicles.
Jones' daughter, District 4 County Commissioner Cindy Jones Mills, posted a message on social media asking for prayers for her father last week.
Funeral services will be held at Oak Grove Baptist at 5640 Oak Grove Cir, Cumming, GA 30028 at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28.
Ingram Funeral Home will be handling the funeral arrangements.
