It's been a long and understandably difficult week for Eli Young Band bassist Jon Jones, whose father died last week. Allen Edwin Jones passed away in Ft. Worth, Texas last Monday, Oct. 8, after losing a long battle with lung cancer.

Jones' dad was only 74 years old and was his son's biggest fan, always supporting his dream to pursue music from when he was just a kid.

"He was always on my side when it came to playing music," Jon Jones says in a statement, speaking of his father's never-ending love and support. "Ever since my parents started me on violin at the age of two and a half, he even predicted -- years before the band was formed -- that I would have a big future in country music."

Jones' dad was lucky to live long enough to witness his son score not one, but two No. 1 country singles, pick up honors at the 2011 ACMs for Song of the Year, and earn multiple gold and platinum-selling singles with his Texas-based band, Eli Young Band. However, he will miss the birth of his grandchild -- Jon Jones is expecting a baby boy this December.

Allen Jones is survived by his wife of eight years, his five children and their mothers. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure or the American Cancer Society in his memory.

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