There were a whole lot of people from beyond Bridgeport that listened to the Indians’ homecoming contest with Robert C. Byrd back on Sept. 21. And for those who tune in to listen to Travis Jones morph into “The Voice of the Indians” you probably got what you expected – a professional quality broadcast of the highest order.

 

Nothing, it’s very safe to say, seemed out of order. For those listening locally and at the game itself, most knew things weren’t quite right even if it sure sounded right.

 

The reason for that is a sad one. Earlier that week, Travis’ mother – Kathleen Frances Jones – passed away suddenly. She was 71 years old.

 

I bring this up because in all of my years of being around media types, or for that matter business types of any nature, I’m not sure if there’s a bigger professional than Travis Jones. He is, grabbing at an overused cliché, a pro’s pro.

 

During that week leading up to the game with the Eagles, I knew something was amiss. I emailed Travis and didn’t hear back from him. Since I figured he may have missed it or slipped his mind, I messaged him several hours later via social media.

 

Again, nothing. Considering I get people not getting back to me every single day, it shouldn’t have been perplexing. Yet not once in all of my years of knowing Travis Jones has he not gotten back to me – usually immediately. I trolled his Facebook page and found no activity, but did see a post with prayer hand emoji’s and got worried.

 

From there, I contacted two of his close friends just to check in on him. Coach John Cole and former Harrison County resident Tim Brady let me know the news. When talking to both, you could hear the sadness in their voices for their friend.

 

It wasn’t long after that Jones called me to apologize about the information I had requested from him. I almost didn’t know what to say, which rarely happens under any circumstances. A man who just lost one of the most important individuals in his life apologized for not responding sooner. Again, I was floored.

 

I did talk to him about his mother and we chatted for a while where you could tell the deep love he had for his mother. Eventually, his talk turned to the Indians and the program he loves so much. I wished him well and didn’t even think about asking him if he was going to be at the game Friday to call the action against RCB.

 

He was. And he ended up doing what he always does – he nailed it. With what still had to be a troubling time for him with the funeral still ahead, Jones went to work.

Had Jones missed the game Friday, no one would have thought any less of him. Had he not had his typical ace announcing job that also would have been understood by those who know and follow him.

 

Instead, Jones was there. He had a job to do. Unless totally unavoidable, he’s not going to let anyone down when they’re expecting something of him. He does that in every single thing he handles, which goes well beyond the BHS broadcast booth on Friday nights.

 

I truly hope folks here in Bridgeport and now in Fairmont truly appreciate what a gift they have in Travis Jones. Along with being totally committed to providing you a service, he also does a whole lot of good behind the scenes many don’t know about. I won’t get into everything here, but know as I alluded to above that he does plenty more than just call the games that prove beneficiary to Bridgeport High School.

 

For once, I’m going to be relatively brief in this column to allow you to let Travis Jones know how much you appreciate him. I know I appreciate him professionally and, more important, as my friend.

 

My only regret with Travis is I never met his mother. I do know her son and what he’s all about, which tells me all I need to know about who she was. She raised a man who you can count on. That’s a rare commodity in today’s world.

 

Peace to you Travis, your family and friends. Your mother was, and will always be, proud of who and what you are.

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows Travis Jones calling action during a recent BHS football game, while in the second photo he's leading a cleanup day at Wayne Jamison Field. Below, Jones is shown at a Mountain East Football Press Conference. Jones also calls games for Fairmont State University.