Frank Jones did remarkable things in his life. He was a person of strong character and people sensed it. He had friends around the world. He lived simply and without artifice; he had no interest in money or material possessions. He had the heart of a teacher and gave all his body and spirit to teaching and learning, and did it all of his life.
He served and taught gladly. He gave a weekly clinic in hand surgery at Meharry Medical College for years, without pay. It was critical for these medical students who otherwise had little instruction in this subject. He taught English to immigrants for twenty years without any payment. At the beginning, he was told that he could not be a teacher because he did not have a degree in education. Without a second thought, he enrolled at MTSU and earned a Masters degree in Education.
Frank reinvented himself after he retired from orthopedics in 1998.
He was well-versed in history and played the part of James Madison (in costume) at adult education seminars at Chautauqua, New York, and spoke to historical societies around the U.S., also playing Aaron Burr and John Adams.
At the time of his retirement Frank began studying French at Vanderbilt and earned a masters degree. He was completely fluent in the language; he visited France many times and traced the family tree, becoming fast friends with the descendents of his ancestors. He acted as an interpreter for visiting French surgeons who presented scientific sessions at Vanderbilt Grand Rounds.
Frank had a generous nature and people liked him and felt better for having met him. His intellect focused on big thoughts, not small things. He has left a lingering presence and it is a happy presence. Frank exemplified the noblest of spiritual values, but probably never thought of himself as being an inspiration to us. I loved him dearly. I have never known anyone quite like him.
Dr. David Jones
