Following a car crash that took place on December 10, an obituary confirms that Gleaton Jones, former Georgia football player and 2021 national champion, died on Friday, December 13. He was 21. According to The Red & Black, Jones suffered brain damage and had emergency surgery following the car crash. He remained at the intensive care unit where, reportedly, he passed.
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"Gleaton lived life to the fullest and emoted joy and enthusiasm in every endeavor," reads the obituary page, posted on Matthews Funeral Home. "For such a tender age, he created a full life for himself, and for others, by investing deeply in his family, friends, fraternity, and service to others through his growing faith."
The obituary details Jones' life from his Southwest Georgia roots, passing through his high school graduation, all the way to becoming a preferred walk-on for the University of Georgia. He was about to graduate with a marketing degree.
The obituary mentions his passion for sports, hunting, and, above all else, being an amazing big brother to Cole, his younger brother. According to the obituary, Cole saw Gleaton as "a role model, a mentor, a protector, his biggest encourager, and his best friend."
"There was no room big enough that his bright light was unable to fill," the obituary reads. "By all accounts, he was well-liked, popular, and charming, but even more so, humble, kind, empathetic, and personable- making his friends feel loved and important."
A Tribute To A Champion.
Many shared the news of Jones' passing on social media. "It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of former walk on Gleaton Jones," reads an Instagram post made by Barstool UGA. "Gleaton proudly wore the red and black and will be remembered by us all. Fly high Gleaton."
Many followers commented on the post, expressing their love, admiration, and their condolences following Gleaton's passing. "We love you so so much Gleaton," one user wrote. "The funniest person who had the ability to make any situation a good one," another user wrote about Gleaton.
A celebration of Gleaton Jones' life will take place at Wynfield Plantation on Monday, December 16. His parents, his brother, his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins survive his death.
