A grieving family refuses to give up hope as the search for Westminster coach Gary Jones enters another week on Lake Oconee.
❤️ Why It Matters: The disappearance has united Georgia’s boating community, drawing volunteers from across the state in a show of support that transcends county lines.
👥 Family Statement: The Jones family expressed gratitude for the community’s response while requesting privacy. They’re pursuing new leads about the events leading to Gary’s disappearance, according to a family spokesperson.
🔍 Search Status:
- Local fishermen have joined official search teams, expanding efforts to both water and land
- Multiple volunteer groups are coordinating with DNR to cover previously unsearched areas
⚡ New Developments: The family confirms they’re investigating developing leads about the circumstances surrounding the incident, though details remain private during the ongoing investigation.
The Statement: Here is the full statement from the Jones family:
“The Jones family would like to say thank you to all those in support of our beloved Gary. We thank you for all the well wishes the prayers, and most importantly your efforts in helping us find Gary. This has been a horrendous experience for our family but we will not rest until he is found. We are following all developing leads in the events surrounding his disappearance. However, our most important focus now are the multi-faceted search efforts in water and on land. We would like to thank all the family, friends, volunteers, fishermen, officials and anyone else who are joining in the search efforts. We have unwavering faith in God that Gary will be found and that more details will be brought to light. While we are enduring this difficult process we ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy. Again, we sincerely thank you.”
🤝 Community Response: Search volunteers continue to arrive daily at Lake Oconee, demonstrating what DNR officials call “unprecedented civilian support” for a recovery operation.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
