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An outpouring of support for Mansfield’s Doug Jones

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Wednesday morning we learned that Mansfield’s Hall of Fame baseball coach Doug Jones passed away too soon at the age of 60.  Jones was beloved by his family, friends, members of the Mansfield community and the Ozarks baseball world.  We saw that outpouring of love in full force over the past 24 hours as people went to Twitter with their words of appreciation for the Jones.  Several schools left the lights on at the baseball field to honor Jones.

Mansfield assistant baseball coach Gary Greene wants to thank the many who have shown their support.  He shared this message with Ozarks Sports Zone to express his immense gratification.

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“Doug Jones was more than a friend to me, he was family. Our paths crossed 29 years ago and I have looked up to him ever since.  He coached me, mentored me, played golf with me, and loved me. I will forever miss his presence and companionship and I feel lost without him here. I will do what he would do and compete like crazy in whatever I do and make every effort to honor that legacy with the same class and integrity that he exhibited.  I look forward to you again Coach, you da man.”  – Gary Greene, Mansfield assistant baseball coach

“I first met Doug as a 15 year old sophomore at Norwood High School. I noticed that he had a special love for sports, especially baseball. He had the desire to do everything about the game
fundamentally correct and with the proper respect of the game. He thought the game demanded being played the Right Way.

After 30 years of being in different school systems, our paths reconnected here at Mansfield schools. Doug had clearly accomplished his baseball coaching legacy and had achieved Hall of
Fame status. But as I observed him and his coaching style and demeanor, the same traits I saw as a high school player were still obvious as his coaching legacy grew. Those traits were, love
of the game, demand of execution of the fundamentals, the desire to play the right way, and respect for the game and respect for all opponents.

Doug, you always wore uniform number 1. You were always number 1 to your family, your teams, your school, and your community.”

Love,
Terry Writer (boys basketball coach)

“Coach didn’t just teach us how to play a game at the highest level, he taught us how to compete, how to overcome adversity, how to fight, and ultimately how to win at life.  He was a great coach, teacher, mentor, employee, and an even better friend.  Love ya Coach!  #teamjones” – Mansfield Superintendent Nathan Moore

“From the lessons making unforgettable memories on the ball field, to the life lessons taught to me while playing golf with him. I will never forget those days and try to pass them to my boys. He made me a better ball player, better student and most of all a better man. Coach you will be missed.” – Hayden Dennis

“Always tried to pay attention when Coach was talking or giving instruction as we all did. One of the greatest things I think he was able to do was make you feel like you were the only person in the room when he spoke to you. I was fortunate enough to spend some time one on one with him recently and told him if I could take one thing away from him it would be that trait.
He said I felt that if what they were saying at that moment was important enough for them to tell me, the least I could do was listen.”  – Kris Gray

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