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WRAL.com
Former Cherokee Leader Dies

POSTED: 9:37 am EST December 31, 2005
UPDATED: 9:37 am EST December 31, 2005

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- Leon Jones, who was principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians from 1999 to 2003, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 69 when he died at his home Friday.

"He was a very softhearted person, and that's unheard of in politics," said Calvin Murphy, the tribe's public works director under Jones. "He did the chief's job, I believe, from his heart."

As principal chief, Jones created a retirement program for employees, Murphy said, and Jones also was instrumental in a land deal that will make room for an elementary, middle and high school.

Myron Coulter, a longtime friend and chancellor of Western Carolina University from 1984 to 1994, considered his work as principal chief to be his greatest accomplishment.

"He was passionate about his work," Coulter said. "These are my people. He would say that so many times."

Before serving as principal chief, Jones held a council seat. He also worked as a tribal court judge and was a school board chairman.

He enlisted with the Marine Corps in 1954 and in the Air Force in 1960. He served in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968.

The Jones family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Moody Funeral Home in Sylva. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Cherokee High School auditorium.

He is survived by wife Janice and stepson Gary Wiggins.

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Information from: The Asheville Citizen-Times, http://www.citizen-times.com

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