06/16/2026
GRSP extends our condolences for GRSP Foundation Past President, Sandy Springs Rotarian, mentor and friend Joseph “Joe” Jones, 88, who passed away Friday, June 12, 2026. Joe was recently honored at the District 6900 District Conference in April with the Frank E. Bentley GRSP Leadership Award, which is presented to a District 6900 Rotarian who has displayed outstanding leadership in the promotion of the Georgia Rotary Student Program.
Joe joined Rotary International in 1981 as a member of the Rotary Club of Sandy Springs, where he served as club president in 1986-1987 and achieved perfect attendance at weekly club meetings for 25-years. He was named a GRSP Endowment Trustee in 1991 and served as the Endowment Chair from 2001 to 2021. Joe served as the first president of the GRSP Foundation Inc., from 2021 to 2023. He was named Trustee Emeritus in 2023. In his 32 years serving GRSP, Joe contributed to the success of countless international college students by promoting positive relationships among students, host families, sponsoring clubs and the program. He and his wife Ellen served as a host family to several students. Joe was a Ronnie Waller Fellow for his $10,000 in cumulative contributions to the GRSP Foundation.
Please keep Ellen and their family in your prayers.
A memorial service for Joe has been scheduled for 11 a.m., Saturday, July 11 in Dunwoody. We are trying to obtain a link to view the service as it is scheduled the same day as our GRSP Summer Trustee Business Meeting in Macon.