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The Jones
family of Gleason, Tennessee has roots deep into the tradition and
legacy of service to citizens of Gleason and surrounding counties by
providing high quality automotive needs. These roots began many
years ago when John Jones and Harriett Collins lived in Weakley
County.
In 1858, they
had a son, Thomas Willard Jones, who grew up as a farmer and
blacksmith. The folks in Gleason called him “Tinker Tom” because he
“tinkered” with whatever needed to be repaired to help friends and
family. He later married Eliza Ann Russ and in 1885 they were
blessed with a son named John Thomas Jones. Likewise, John Thomas
began as a farmer who moved around but never left the Gleason area.
He married Lockie Victoria Hamm and their son J. T. Jones was born
in 1915.
J.T. grew up
with an early interest in farming but quickly realized it wasn’t for
him. After marrying Novella Deck, they started a tobacco business,
and he also started traveling with other men to Michigan to buy
automobiles. He would bring them back to Gleason and sell to local
people in and around the Gleason area.
In 1947,
their son Barry Jones was born. J. T. built a used car dealership in
Gleason known to all as Crestview Motors. In 1966 Barry married
Aletha Wray. After spending four year in the United States Air
Force, he returned home and began his career working for his father
in the used car business. Barry and Aletha bought the business from
J. T. and Novella in 1978. Barry continued to sell cars until 1990
when he started phasing out the car sales and began a mechanic shop
that provided exceptional service working on cars and trucks for the
public. Whatever your automotive needs, Crestview Motors is your
go-to place!!
In 1975 Barry
and Aletha added a son Thomas Wray and in 1980 their daughter
Allison Jane joined the family. Tommy graduated from Gleason School
in 1994 and attended Memphis State Tech to receive his ASE
certification. Also in 1994, Barry and Aletha bought land and built
a new mechanic shop and changed the name of their lucrative business
to Crestview Motors Service Center.
Tommy
couldn’t wait to get home from college and join his dad in the
family business that began so many decades ago. When Allison
finished high school in 1998, she attended Union University for one
year then moved to Nashville to attend John A. Gupton Mortuary
School. She worked outside the family business for about fifteen
years.
In 2016,
Tommy and Allison started their new business venture together by
approaching their parents with the desire to become the new owners
of the business that meant so much to them and the entire community
of Gleason. Their first order of business was to change the name to
Crestview.
The business
has grown from just primarily working on a car or truck to cover
just about any mechanical issue or need of their valued customers.
The two thousand square foot expansion in 2004 allows accommodation
for larger vehicles which has become a necessity.
If you drive
by 172 Smyth Lane in Gleason, Tennessee, you will see anything from
a BMW to a Ford, Dodge, or Chevy. One might even see an RV,
semi-truck, school bus, fire truck, ambulance, combine, tractor, and
even a bulldozer sitting in the parking lot for the Crestview staff
to work its magic.
You might
also see three little boys running around in that same parking
lot…..the next generation is just waiting their turn while learning
the ropes from the best!!!
The folks at
Crestview will meet and greet you with a warm smile, friendly
conversation, and an atmosphere of friendship. These are some of
the finest down home folks in Gleason who have dedicated themselves
to its citizens because they genuinely love the community they so
proudly call home. (Story by Kay Hudson)
Crestview Service Center - The Next Generation
L to R: Caleb Jones, Barrett Bowers, Presley
Scott, Trey Bowers
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