Ned Boston (’66) will never forget his first job offer or the man that made it.

“Right after graduation, standing in front of the old Student Union Building on the old campus, Mr. George Jones told me I had a job.”

The term "estate planning" means different things to different people, according to Paul Veazey, director of planned giving and denominational support at Union. In its broadest sense, estate planning includes the process of accumulating, managing and distributing property over the course of a lifetime. An effective estate plan helps a person to identify his or her objectives and encourages people to take practical approaches to achieve their goals. Careful planning helps individuals overcome any hazards in the process. “Estate planning is one of the best ways to enhance your alma mater’s programs and visibility," says Veazey. “It provides the donor an opportunity to reach not only his or her personal goals but it also opens a door to aid one to achieve their charitable goals as well.” An effective estate plan envelops an organized approach to bring order to what may otherwise seem to be an overwhelming task. An estate plan should be focused on four basic areas: first, the people in one’s life; second, the property one owns; third, plans and dreams for the future; and fourth, the persons who will help you achieve your goals. A well-stated will is the basic cornerstone to the estate planning process. Union University’s planned giving staff is always available to assist individuals and families or their financial and legal counselors with their estate plans and suggest effective ways to accomplish overall goals more effectively. For more information or assistance, contact Paul Veazey at (731) 661-5217 or (800) 338-6644. He can also be reached through email at pveazey@uu.edu.

Boston worked for the company for 26 years – his wife Nancy, whom he met at the firm, stayed for 34. Through that time, both of them grew very close to George and his wife Vivian, and as a result of their special relationship with the couple, helped settle their estates after they both passed away.

Ned and Nancy Boston recall fond
memories of their former employer.

“George Jones was a really good Christian man to work for," recalls Nancy. "He had high principles and high morals – his word was his bond,” adds Boston.“Mrs. Jones was a lovely lady – a woman who put her husband’s causes first – someone very Southern and genteel,” says Nancy.

Jones’ dedication to Christian causes also included Union University.

“Mr. Jones always felt it was so important for young people to have the opportunity to get a good education in a Christian setting,” explains Ned Boston, adding that the Jones’ never had any children of their own.

Instrumental in helping achieve the university’s move from the old campus to the new campus, Jones was also beneficial in helping lead the university financially through some very difficult changes and transitional times, says Boston. He provided much in the way of scholarship money for students from West Tennessee.

George and Vivian Jones, a couple who loved to give back the blessings they had received during their lifetimes, passed away in October of 1985 and November of 1999, respectively. Over their lifetimes and included in their estates, they made gifts totaling more than $500,000 to Union University, to continue the work of educating young people with a Christian worldview.

“One thing about George – he never wanted credit for what he did for the Lord," says Boston. "He only wanted to lift up the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. That was his primary focus, that he would be a good steward of that which God had given him and blessed him with.”