AMHERST, MA: Denison Hartman Jones, 86, of Fort Myers Fl, and Amherst, MA passed away on March 9, 2024, after a brief  battle with pancreatic cancer.  Better known as DH or Denny, he was the son of the late Walter Cowls Jones and Sarah Hartman Jones.  Denny is predeceased by his beloved wife Barbara Knowlton Jones and his younger brother Paul.

Denny was born and raised on his family’s North Amherst farm. He spent many years working on the farm with his grandmother, Sarah Cowls Jones. This is where he learned dairy farming and livestock trading.  This proved to be the foundation of his sales and negotiation skills. He attended Williston Academy, graduated from Amherst High School, and attended Blinn College in Texas.  When he returned home in 1958, he purchased his first house in Amherst at the age of 21, thus founding D.H. Jones Real Estate Agency.  Years later the Rental Division became a separate entity called Jones Properties.

In 1960 Denny married the love of his life Barbara Knowlton. Denny and Barbara’s real estate business began as a two-person operation initially located in their home at 120 Amity Street and later moved to Triangle Street. Denny and his agents rented and sold homes to returning veterans, college professors, farmers, and tradespeople as well as the expanding student population.  During this time, Denny built and developed numerous apartments and stores, that remain central fixtures in Amherst and the surrounding areas. In the late 1960’s Denny and Barbara partnered with Gordon and Beverly Neylon to form the Jones-Neylon Insurance Agency.

During this time, he spent 5 years in the US Army Reserves.

Denny’s friendly “What’s new?” invited news, stories, and conversation everywhere he went. He truly loved Amherst and being involved in the community and many local organizations.  He was a volunteer Firefighter and a director of The Three County Fair and Shawmut Bank.  He was also a 50+ year Mason, Shriner, Jester, a member and past president of the Amherst Rotary Club, as well as The Hampshire County Board of Realtors, MLS, Chiefs of Police Association, and a member of the Amherst Golf Club.

In 1978, Denny and Barbara discovered Sanibel Island, FL where they frequently vacationed and eventually retired.  This proved to be a wonderful opportunity to make new friends, improve his golf game and discover his love of boating.  Together they joined the Captiva Island Yacht Club where he later became the Commodore.  Sanibel Island is where Denny and Barbara created so many wonderful memories with their children and grandchildren.

Denny leaves his children, son Gerald L. Jones, his wife Karen, their children Parker, Caroline, Luke and Becca; daughter Wendy Jones Boisseau, her husband Greg, and their children Zoe, Hope, Chelsea, and Morgan; and son Andrew C. Jones, his wife Sheilah, and their children Griffin and Maddox.  In addition, Denny leaves his sister Gertrude Wegel Como, her husband Jim, and her children Adam, Gabe, and Don; his sister-in-law Ruth, and her children Cinda and Evan.  Denny also leaves behind his companion, Patricia Lilley, and their puppy Valentine.

A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, March 23, 2024 from 3:00 – 6:00 pm at the Marriott Courtyard in Hadley.  A private burial will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either Hospice of The Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002,  https://www.FisherHome.org.  Or The Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 516 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104, https://www.ShrinersChildrens.org.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com