Randy Lynn Jones

Randy Lynn Jones, beloved father, son, brother, friend and musician, passed away on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at the age of 58. He was born in Scott County Tennessee to Lonnie and Alice Faye (Shoopman) Jones on August 3, 1966.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Faye, his sister Beverly Jones, his maternal grandparents, Arnold and Geneva Shoopman and his paternal grandparents Robert and Rosie Worley Jones as well as a nephew, Tyler Lawson.

He is survived by his son, Caleb Isaac Jones, his father, Lonnie, his sister, Tammy Lawson and several nieces and nephews, as well his former wife, Paula Gilreath Jones, with whom he shared an unbreakable bond over their son, Caleb.

After being challenged by his mother, Randy completed his GED alongside her, so as to not be outdone. The challenge worked. Not only did he get his GED, in later years, he went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Eastern Kentucky University. He served as the Finance Officer with the McCreary County Fiscal Court under County Judge Executives Doug Stephens and Bevo Greene, before resigning in 2024. He worked tirelessly in the community for many years to support the Blazin’ Bluegrass Festival, a local event held every fall, where he not only played music, but ran the soundboard for the performers.

Randy was a beloved musician, whose musical roots began when his father first placed a mandolin in his hands at the age of 5 years old. Without any formal training, Randy learned to play by ear and not only mastered the ability to play the mandolin, but the guitar, piano and keyboard as well. He was one of those musicians that had the ability to reach your soul, which allowed him to be part of several memorable bands throughout his lifetime, including The Southfork Gentlemen, where he played alongside his dad when he was only 14, the famed Larry Sparks band, Rated R, where he played with local musicians Jimmy Shoopman, Steve Richmond, and Dee Ball, Backwood Expedition where he played alongside local musicians Jack Brooks, Jerry Pennington and Dan Meadows as well as Kentucky Wind where he played alongside local musicians Edd Gilreath, Ronnie Gilreath, Anthony Taylor, and Sandy Bubba Gerkin.

The pinnacle of his musical career came in 2011, when he auditioned in Nashville to be the mandolin player for the Bluegrass Band, Lonesome River Band led by famed banjo player, Sammy Shelor. Alongside his bandmates, Sammy, Brandon Rickman, Barry Reed and Mike Hartgrove, Randy traveled all over the United States, Canada, France, Ireland, Prague and the Czech Republic playing to thousands of avid bluegrass fans. While part of LRB, Randy achieved what most musicians only dream of: playing on the stage of the Grand Ol’ Opry in Nashville, TN. Randy talked about being so nervous when he looked out in the audience and saw some of his musical heroes, among them Ricky Skaggs and Vince Gil. In addition, the band was also featured playing the song “Molly” on a segment of David Letterman wherein Steve Martin played alongside them, when the band was brought to New York City for a week to award Sammy Shelor the Steve Martin Banjo Player of the Year. While in the band, Randy recorded a solo album entitled, “When Old Lonesome Comes Around,” featuring twelve tracks that contain Randy’s trademark vocals and musical abilities.

Randy leaves behind a musical legacy that he was never really aware of and many family and friends within whose hearts his music will resonate forever. His funeral service will be a private affair attended by immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to a Go Fund Page to help pay for funeral expenses. The link for this page is: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fundraiser-for-randy-jones-funeral-expenses

A private burial was held at the Pine Knot Cemetery.

McCreary County Funeral Home entrusted with the arrangements.