An Insurance Pro Shop® Exclusive
 

EVERYONE LOVED “OUR”
CHARLES “TREMENDOUS” JONES

By Ed Morrow, CLU, ChFC, CFP, RFC

Unquestionably, the “best known” Insurance Pro Shop advocate and friend left us and “entered through the gates of Heaven” on October 16, 2008, at 4 p.m., after more than ten-years of struggling with cancer.  The world’s beloved Charles “Tremendous” Jones passed-away peacefully, with his family by his side.  Born in Alabama on October 23, 1927, he would have been 82-years old had he lived just seven more days.    

Charles Edward Jones had a “tremendous” impact on millions of people around the world, and especially with insurance agents, financial planners, and other professionals in the USA.  Charlie “Tremendous” Jones became an insurance agent at age twenty-two, with MONY, and in a few years he was breaking insurance sales records from coast-to-coast.  He was awarded his agency's “Most Valuable Associate” the following year.  Ten years later, he received his company's highest management award for recruiting, training, and business management. In 1965, he founded Life Management Services to share his sales success strategies through seminars and consulting services. (Gloria and Charlie T. Jones)

“People Knew He Really Cared and They Loved Him.”

Forrest Wallace Cato, the media advocate who promoted “Mister Tremendous” for over twelve years, said, “Charlie and I discussed his coming passing at least two dozen times.  He was totally at peace.  He was secure and confident.  He was not worried.  He did not want to leave Gloria Burkhart Jones, his treasured wife of sixty years, and their wonderful six children, his sister in Atlanta, and the two grandchildren.  But he was looking forward to what he called ‘going home.’  He devoted his life and talents to helping others.  He shared the great skills that helped make him such a successful insurance sales agent and acclaimed motivational speaker.  People knew he really cared and they loved him.” (Gloria and Charlie T. Jones)

Cato added, “He was proud of the work of the Insurance Pro Shop and very pleased about the organization’s growth.  He recently boasted, ‘Now the Pro Shop is established and well-respected.’ 

For over ten-years he fought the ravages of cancer while, at the same time, ‘Mr. Tremendous’ cheerfully and dynamically motivated many others to greater accomplishments.” (Charlie T. Jones and Forrest W. Cato)
 

Jeff Jones, Charlie’s son, told this writer, “My father was funny enough to be a comedian.  But he never told a joke in a motivational speech or training talk without having a serious point behind it.  He didn’t just pump-up people with his platform presentations, he gave them practical methods to improve and advance.  His famous tag line was, ‘You are the same today as in five years, except for the people you meet and the books you read.’  He loved children and he invited city children to come play at his small home golf course, swimming pool, and in parts of the old Willow Mill Park in Silver Spring, PA.  He also had a building on his property that he devoted to Christmas year round.  He would bring kids into the Christmas house, serve refreshments, distribute presents, and sing Christmas carols with them, even in the middle of summer.”

Lew Nason, founder of the Insurance Pro Shop, stated, “Sadly, America has lost a great national treasure.  ‘Mister Tremendous’ always said, ‘For me, to live is Christ, to die is gain.’  He was truly a beloved husband, father, author, motivational speaker, insurance sales agent, and sales trainer.  ‘Mister Tremendous’ was especially respected for being a Christian gentleman.  At the Insurance Pro Shop we will miss him more than words can express.  How we valued and appreciated his participation, support, and enthusiasm.  His family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be contributed to the Lancaster Bible College or the Jones Library in Mechanicsburg, PA.” (Rosemary and Lew Nason with Gloria and Charlie T. Jones)

Since his teenage years, Phil Calandra, one of America’s highly successful young financial planners, has been a life-long student of Charles “Tremendous” Jones.  Contacted in his office at Pinnacle Financial Services, in Kennesaw, GA, Phil Calandra explained, “He was my mentor.  I have lost my role model.  The first time I met Charles ‘Tremendous’ Jones I was well-aware that I was in the presence of a great man.  Thousands of audiences around the world have experienced non-stop laughter as ‘Mister Tremendous’ shared his ideas about life's most challenging situations in business and at home.  During these times of economic chaos his messages became more-and-more important.  Two of his most popular keynote presentations were The Price of Leadership and Where Does Leadership Begin?   These two talks alone have been enjoyed by millions of people world-wide. He was the author of nine successful books, the best-known of which is Life is Tremendous.  This title sold more than two million copies and is now available in 12-languages.”  (Phil Calandra and Charlie Jones)

“Life Holds Tremendous Opportunities For You!”

His often-expressed positive belief that “Life holds tremendous opportunities for you!” caused the word “Tremendous” to become part of his name.  Charles “Tremendous” Jones became more well-known than his given name of Charles E. Jones.  He firmly believed that you and all others, have within, the ability to be tremendous.

He was featured in the Leadership by the Book series with Ken Blanchard, Excelling in the New Millennium with Jim Rohn, the Dynamic Achievers World Network series, Insights Into Excellence training series, Nightingale Conant's Executive Treasury of Humor and Salesmasters: The Leading Edge and Learning - A Tremendous Experience.  In the early days of television, he was the subject of a This Is Your Life TV program hosted by Ralph Edwards. 

T. Jerry Royer, RFC, the successful and highly respected financial advisor with Group 10 Financial in Haines City, FL, stated, “Like many others, I loved and respected Charles “Tremendous” Jones for the priceless one-of-a-kind human he was. He was a hugger of people.  He did not hesitate to hug anyone and everyone. He touched people physically as well as emotionally and spiritually.  He lived his faith.”  (Jerry Royer, Charlie 'Tremendous' Jones, Nick Royer)

A Friend to the Average Person and of the Famous

According to T. Jerry Royer, “Charlie said he was rich in friends.  He often proudly proclaimed that he knew ‘… lots-and-lots of real good people.’  Frequently he bragged about “… the great work accomplished by good friend Don Greene, Executive Director of the Napoleon Hill Foundation.  Our beloved Charlie has left this world but he left it a better world as all those he hugged can attest.”

Royer noted, “His close personal relationships included many famous names, such as Rick Warren, Art Linkletter, Zig Ziglar, Tom Hopkins (whom Charlie started as a sales trainer), Rev. Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, Matthew J. Rettick, W. Clement Stone, Napoleon Hill, Jack LaLanne, Ken Blanchard, Rev. Dr. Robert H. Schuller, Dale Carnegie, Steve Allen, Harvey Mc Kay, Brian Tracy, Lew Nason, Bob Hope, Steve Covey, Wayne Dyer, Jack Canfield, Dale Carnegie, “Chuck” Colson, Rev. Dr. Billy Graham, Coach Lew Holtz, Coach Vince Lombardi, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, Robert Toru Miyosaki, Wally “Famous” Amos, Bill Cosby, Dr. Joyce Brothers, Mark Victor Hansen, Og Mandino, Oprah Winfrey, Lew Brown, Maxwell Maltz, and many-many more.”  

“Mister Tremendous” has served as a lecturer at Emory University, the University of Southern California, the Purdue Life Insurance Marketing Institute, LSU Insurance University, the University of Tennessee, Lamar College, Harding University, Dickinson College, Palmer College and the Executive Management School of the America Management Association.  He has served as President of Life Management Services Inc, Executive Books and ToolsCart.com and Chairman of the Advisory Board of Investment Timing Service.

In 2001 “Mister Tremendous” was recognized as one of the top twenty speakers of the 20th century by the National Speakers Association, having served as member of the prestigious Speakers Roundtable and the International Platform Association.  His awards (over twenty honorary degrees from various universities) and honors are too numerous to list here, but are detailed on the Internet.

In 2006 he addressed the International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC) Annual Convention in Middletown, OH where he was swarmed by many of the financial advisors he aroused with his tremendous message.

Please go to:  www.TremendousJones.com

      Hal Chorney and Charlie 'Tremendous' Jones               Lew Nason and Charlie 'Tremendous' Jones                    

      Jeremy Nason and Charlie 'Tremendous' Jones     Lew Nason and Charlie 'Tremendous' Jones  

   Rory Diefendorf and Charlie 'Tremendous' Jones             Will Nason and Charlie 'Tremendous' Jones            

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