The press box at Wallace State's James C. Bailey Stadium was officially changed to the Donald W. Jones Press Box during the 2014 season. Jones died Thursday at the age of 76.

Wallace State baseball has lost its voice — and oh, what a voice it was.

Donald Jones, the longtime public address announcer at James C. Bailey Stadium and recent namesake of its press box, died Thursday at the age of 76. He leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond the world of sports and love for a program unlike many others.

“Having the press box named after me is one of the greatest honors I’ve ever had besides the love and pride I have for my family,” Jones said in a 2014 Wallace State press release. “It’s simply hard to put into words what this does mean to me. It makes you feel maybe you did something right. It’s a real blessing.”

Jones, a high school teacher, coach, principal and Cullman County Board of Education employee for 35 years, wasn’t one to waltz quietly into retirement. Instead, he continued to work in public relations as vice president of the school bus division of a trucking company and frequently visited Wallace State’s baseball stadium to check up on the Lions.

During one of those visits, in the late 1990s, Jones was asked by Cullman radio personality Jimmy Dale Burgess to help out on the radio broadcast and pull double duty as the public address announcer. From that day on, the microphone was his, and he serenaded Wallace State spectators with a booming voice that won’t be forgotten any time soon.

“Donald Jones will always be THE voice of (handle) WallaceBaseball,” UAH team manager Zane Cleghorn tweeted. “Always great to share the press box with him. Praying for family and friends.”

Jones’ inclusion in the Wallace State family wasn’t solely relegated to baseball. He considered his weekly Bible studies while with the Lions one of his “favorite accomplishments.”

“That Bible study led to two players being baptized and accepting Christ a couple of years ago,” Jones said in a press release. “That makes me feel better than making a home run call.”

Many former players, friends and colleagues turned to social media Thursday to mourn Jones’ passing. See some of their sentiments below:

— “Would like to express our most sincere condolences to the family of the voice of WSCC baseball, Donald Jones,” Wallace Baseball tweeted from its official account. “He will be missed.”

— “Heaven gained an angel today,” tweeted Kevin McNorton, a former Wallace State pitcher and current minor leaguer. “Donald Jones touched many lives, especially (handle) WallaceBaseball boys. I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.”

— “Heavy heart today after hearing about the death of Donald Jones,” tweeted Gil Walker, a former Wallace State pitcher and current assistant coach at Lawson State. “What a great man. Prayers go out to his family and the Wallace State family.”

“Donald really took care of me during my time at Wallace,” Walker continued. “There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do to help us. I’m gonna miss you big man.”

— “The world lost an unbelievable man today,” tweeted Adam Scott, a former Wallace State assistant and current pitching coach at Georgia State. “Donald Jones impacted everyone in such a positive way. The most selfless man I have ever known.”

— “The world loss a great man today,” tweeted Auston Neal, a Cullman High product and Wallace State freshman. “Mr. Donald Jones was an incredible person. Rest in peace Donald!”

— “Thoughts and prayers go up to the Donald Jones family: the voice of Wallace State baseball,” said Luke Satterfield, a Cullman High product, Hanceville High teacher/coach and Wallace State assistant, in a Facebook post. “He will be missed, but most certainly will forever be remembered for seasons and championships to come.”

— “He will be missed,” tweeted Justin Graves, the former sports editor for The Cullman Times and current sports writer at the Decatur Daily. “Spent several afternoons in the press box with Mr. Jones. He was a Lion, through and through.”

See a more in-depth story on Jones and his legacy in Saturday’s Times.