Tragic Loss: Deerfield-Windsor star and UGA player Gleaton Jones dies at 21

ALBANY — The Deerfield-Windsor community is mourning another heartbreaking loss following the death of former athlete Gleaton Jones, who passed away Friday from a brain injury sustained in a car accident during a hunting trip in Florida. Jones, 21, was a standout athlete at Deerfield-Windsor, earning a preferred walk-on spot with the Georgia Bulldogs and contributing to their 2021 national championship team under Coach Kirby Smart.

He was the son of Marlin and Kirk Jones, and the older brother of Deerfield-Windsor running back Cole. He graduated from Deerfield-Windsor in 2020 after helping the Knights win the state track and field championship.

Jones remained a beloved figure in Albany and a familiar presence at Deerfield-Windsor events. Just two weeks ago, he was on hand to cheer for his younger brother, Cole Jones, during the Knights’ state championship victory. His passing marks the second tragedy for the Deerfield-Windsor community this year; in May, 2024 graduate and football player David Mullins was killed in a car accident. Once again, the school family is rallying together in grief.

“It is such a tragic loss for the Jones family,” said Deerfield-Windsor head football coach Jake McCrae. “Cole lost a big brother and best friend, and an incredible future was taken away from a beautiful young man way too soon.”

“As a coach for Gleaton and Cole, there is no greater pain than this,” McCrae added. “Once again, we have to say goodbye to a great Knight and lean on each other to make it through. While we all grieve together with the Jones family, our job at Deerfield-Windsor is to rally around these great people and give them as much support as we can.”

Before the football season began, Cole Jones was selected for The Albany Herald’s “Fantastic Fifteen.” During that interview, he expressed his admiration for his older brother, sharing that his goal was to earn a spot at the University of Georgia, just like Gleaton. As Deerfield-Windsor’s top running back this year, Cole rushed for 1,525 yards and 19 touchdowns, helping lead the Knights to a state championship.

Though Jones was no longer playing for the Georgia football team, he was still a student at the university, set to graduate with a business degree in May. According to reports, he planned to return to Albany to help run the family farm.

Funeral services for Jones will be held Monday at Wyndham Plantation, beginning at 2 p.m. In honor of his love for the outdoors, mourners are encouraged to wear jeans, boots, and camo.