By Ron Barry
Managing Editor
When you hear a first responder say, “We’ll take it from here,” it usually means a new crew is moving in to carry on the efforts of a crew that preceded it.
But when you hear that phrase in a message from Crockett County Ambulance Service Director Stephen Sutton, it can also be as a heart-shattering salute to the passing of one of their own.
Such was the case over the weekend when Sutton announced the death of full-time emergency medical technician Randy Jones of Gadsden, who had been with the Ambulance Service since 1999 and also served as the EMS Director of the Humboldt Area Rescue Squad. Jones was 61.
“Randy was the consummate EMS professional, and every ambulance service should be so blessed to have a Randy,” Sutton said. “He was genuine, kind, compassionate, smart, and dedicated. He deeply loved the people of Crockett County and gave help to thousands through his tenure with us over the years.”
Jones, a 1979 graduate of Gadsden High School, began his post-school career as a furnace operator for Copeland Electric in Humboldt before moving on to work at Owens-Corning Fiberglass near Jackson. He was a heavy equipment operator for the Rogers Group in Humboldt before beginning 18 years as a machine operator for NCR Corporation.
During that time, we went to school at Jackson State Community College and earned his certificate as an Emergency Medical Technician in 1998 with a 4.0 grade point average. He began employment with the Crockett County Ambulance Service shortly thereafter.
Even before that, in 1994, be headed the Humboldt Area Rescue Squad and was nearing completion of his 28th year in that position.
His call number for the Ambulance Service was “Crockett 27,” and his fellow Shift 2 members joined Sutton in lamenting his loss.
“Our shift will never be the same,” said EMT Candace McBride. “A million words wouldn’t compare to the living testimony Randy was. I have a running list of ‘Randy quotes’ that I’ll never forget. There was so much we learned from him.”
Jones received a multitude of grateful salutes for his selfless service from a number of citizens on social media posts after news of his passing circulated.
Visitation for Jones is tonight (Wednesday) at First Assembly of God at 1524 Carriage Lane in Humboldt, from 5:00-8:00 p.m.
A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in the Humboldt High School gymnasium at 2600 Viking Drive. Interment will follow at Salem Cemetery at 385 Aubrey Ferguson Road in Gadsden.
On Thursday evening, a “Sea of Lights” will travel through Crockett and Gibson counties to memorialize the contributions Jones made to emergency services in both locations. All agencies are invited to participate, and lineup will begin at 6:00 p.m. behind Crockett County High School. The vehicles will leave promptly at 6:30 p.m. to go through Crockett County and will end their salute at the Humboldt High School parking lot.
Jones is survived by: his wife Linda (Stephens) Jones of Gadsden; daughter Jennifer Barrix and husband Casey of Gadsden; sister Linda Morgan and husband Larry of Fruitland; brother Kenny Jones and wife Carolyn of Humboldt; and two grandsons, Aiden and Kian Barrix of Gadsden.
