For the workers at Amherst Madison, Charlie Jones is more than just a boss.
"He's someone you can confide in, who you can trust, and who will trust in you," said George Jones, a relative who worked under Charlie Jones at Amherst Madison for 30 years before retiring.
Dozens of Charlie Jones' employees, family members, friends and community members gathered Thursday at the company office at Port Amherst, near Campbells Creek, to celebrate his 99th birthday, which actually is Sunday, and watch him receive the Distinguished West Virginian Award from Gov. Jim Justice's office.
"I feel good. We're celebrating my birthday," Charlie Jones said after accepting the honor. "Anyone is bound to feel good on their birthday!"
In his near-century of life, Charlie Jones has served as a miner, a student, naval officer, a farmer and a riverboat captain, to name just a few things.
After World War II, in which he served in the U.S. Navy as an equipment operator for the Seabees, and then an engineering officer on a minesweeper in the Pacific Theater of Operations, he returned to his family's coal mining business.
When the family bought Hatfield-Campbells Creek Coal Co., a business that operated steamboats, barges and river terminals along the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers, in 1950, he took over river operations and re-named them the Amherst Barge Co.
That company, along the way, became Madison Coal and Supply Co. and is now known as Amherst Madison. The company specializes in marine services, like marine towing, construction, shipping and equipment repairs and rentals.
Charlie Jones remains active in his advanced age. He's not sitting at home, relaxing in retirement.
He serves on the Yeager Airport board and diligently attends every meeting, according to Kent Carper, the Kanawha County Commission president. And each morning, he goes to Amherst Madison, where he serves as the company's president and chief executive officer.
"Think of all the things he was doing 40 years ago. He's still doing those things today," George Jones said. "He can still run a boat, drive a car. Every day, he comes to work and takes the stairs, while most people use the elevator."
And as he's done all of this, he has been an inspiration to numerous people, a sentiment that resonated as his friends and co-workers stood in groups on the lawn of Amherst Madison, sharing stories and laughs.
"He helped me become who I am today," said Jennifer Bell, who traveled to Charleston from Chicago for Charlie Jones' birthday celebration.
Bell, 56, is the regional leader for Aon Risk Solutions, the firm Amherst Madison uses for all its insurance services.
Thirty years ago, "when the marine industry was very male dominated," Bell said, Charlie Jones and his son offered her the opportunity to represent their company. Today, she still does just that.
"It was the first time somebody had confidence in my abilities. That was the foundation for everything I've been able to accomplish," Bell said, eyes watering. "[Charlie Jones] treats everyone the same - whether they're a janitor or a president - with respect. He's truly an inspiration for anyone looking for some."
In 2004, Jones was named the Sunday Gazette-Mail's West Virginian of the Year, an award reserved for those embodying the "spirit of West Virginia."
"I mean, just look at him!" Carper said when asked how he thought Charlie Jones did just that. "He's a person of great means. He continuously gives and doesn't ask for credit - that's very [West Virginia]."
Charlie Jones' humble attitude was apparent when a guest told him he's "one of the most special West Virginians around."
He laughed, shook his head and smiled.
"I don't know where you heard that," Charlie Jones said. "I think there are many, many other special West Virginians."
Reach Caity Coyne at caitlin.coyne@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5100 or follow @caitycoyne on Twitter.