Gleaton Jones, a former University of Georgia football player, passed away on Friday after being involved in a car crash this week. He was 21 years old.
Videos by FanBuzz
According to the university's independent student newspaper "The Red & Black," Jones was in critical condition this week after a Dec. 10 car crash. He was on a hunting trip on St. George Island in Florida. "The Red & Black" reported that Jones sustained a severe brain injury and underwent emergency surgery. He remained in critical condition.
An obituary shared by Matthews Funeral Home said that Jones "passed peacefully" on Dec. 13. Matthews Funeral Home said that a memorial service will take place on Monday, Dec. 16. Guests are to dress casually in "jeans, boots, and camo."
Those wanting to honor Jones's memory can make a donation to the Sigma Alpha Epsilon building fund or Sacred Heart Ascension Hospital.
"Gleaton's Southwest Georgia roots ran deeply," the obituary said. "A lover of the outdoors, he was an avid hunter and had a sincere interest in and appreciation for God's creation. As a child, he would talk about his love of tractors and wanting to farm like his daddy and granddaddy.
"Whether in the mountains skiing with family or taking countless hunting trips with friends, he made cherished memories and found pure joy in taking in the blessings of the outdoors with those he loved."
Jones was a walk-on running back at the University of Georgia. His freshman season was in 2021, the year that the Bulldogs went 8-0 in the SEC and 14-1 overall. The Bulldogs defeated the Wolverines 34-11 in the Orange Bowl and then defeated the Crimson Tide 33-18 in the National Championship.
Before heading to the University of Georgia, Jones was a four-year football and track athlete at Deerfield-Windsor School in Albany, Georgia. According to the obituary, Jones "was an All-Region football player, selected to the GISA All-Star team, team captain, and a member of the 2019 State Champion track team."
