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In Memory of Stacey Jones
Stacey Jones, beloved alumnus and associate vice chancellor of campus and community events, passed away Saturday, October 8, 2022, just one week after retiring from a nearly 47-year career at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith.
Jones impacted thousands of lives through his work as founder of the UAFS Season of Entertainment, founder and executive director of the Miss Westark and Miss UAFS Scholarship pageants, and executive producer of the Miss Arkansas Scholarship pageant. During his long tenure at UAFS, he revolutionized campus activities, bringing energy to Fort Smith alongside artists and performers from across the globe to inspire and entertain the university and its students.
“Today, words seem insufficient to convey the loyalty, hard work, and pride he exhibited over the 50 years he was affiliated with Westark College and the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith,” said UAFS Chancellor Terisa Riley in an email to campus mourning his death. “No one has been more supportive of the growth and evolution of UAFS than Stacey.”
Stacey not only watched UAFS grow and change, but he was also a catalyst for that change. Riley said that his work to support student development, engagement, and success has been invaluable, and many people in our community talk about how instrumental he was in their lives. “Whether they are business owners, former Miss UAFS contestants, people who attended the Season of Entertainment, etc., they all say the same thing: Stacey Jones was a mentor and became my friend.”
Jones was a true Fort Smith native, born on October 16, 1951, to Robert and Lou Jones. He is survived by his wife of 46 years Sheila Jones, daughters Stacie Kohles and Amanda Echols, son-in-law Aubrey Echols, brother Sam Jones and his wife, Linda Jones, niece Holly Raley and her husband, Kevin Raley, niece Neile Pugh and her husband Kelly Pugh, three great nieces and one great nephew, and four grandchildren.
“The world said goodbye to one hell of a Director, in all aspects of life, today,” said Justin Butcher, who worked alongside Jones for many years in a Facebook post. “Stacey Jones will always be remembered as a driving force behind building the institution that is now UAFS, a selfless volunteer for countless years for the Miss Arkansas Organization, and the man who introduced the arts to so many in the River Valley.”
“I’ve spent the past few days reflecting on the impact Stacey Jones had on my life, and like countless others, it is significant,” said Pam Camp, who met Jones in 1983 when she joined the Student Activities Council at Westark in a Facebook tribute. “Stacey provided decades of support and opportunities for me that I would not have had otherwise. He always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. I’m certain that my life would not be what it is without his influence. He worked tirelessly for the benefit of students and the community. I’ll always remember his sense of humor, his work ethic, and his love of family.
“I first met Stacey Jones when I was a student at Westark,” added Tom Wing, assistant professor of History at UAFS. “In 2000, as an adjunct, I got the opportunity to work with him part-time, then in 2004, I had the honor of working with him full-time. He was a mentor to one of my sons, who was a student worker, and Stacey’s wisdom and advice served me well many times through the years. He helped my transition from the Federal Government to the State go smoothly. He helped me navigate academia in a positive way. His support will be missed, but most of all, his friendship, kindness, and constancy, things we all need more of, will be harder to find without him.”
To share your memories of Stacey, please leave a comment on our Facebook memorial so that all may share in remembering his legacy.
To Support Future UAFS Students in Stacey's Honor:
- Click here to access the UAFS giving page.
- In the “Donation Amount”, type the amount you would like to give in memory of Stacey Jones
- Click on More Giving Options and select the fund you want to give your gift to the memory of Stacey and click “Continue”.
- Once you have selected the area you would like to give a new box will open on the home screen where you will re-enter the amount.
- Click “Give Now”
- After completing the Donor Information & Contact Information, click “In Honor/Memory of Someone Special”
- Under “This gift is in” select “Memory of Someone Special”
- Type in “Stacey Jones” in Honoree’s Full Name
- The “Notification Name and Address” can be left blank and the UAFS Foundation will notify the family of your gift.
- From here, follow all onscreen instructions to complete the form payment information.
After you have completed the online form, a note will be sent to the family on your behalf, informing them of your recent gift in Stacey’s memory. If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to the UAFS Foundation at foundation@uafs.edu or by calling (479) 788-7020.