Macon Lawyer Frank Jones, 87, Died Of Leukemia: Attorney Headed Georgia's Fight To Repeal Obamacare

Frank Jones, a longtime attorney in Macon, Ga., who was widely recognized throughout Georgia for his effort in trying to appeal the Affordable Care Act, died this week after losing a battle to leukemia. He was 87.

Jones died Wednesday at his home in Macon, the Macon Telegraph reported Thursday.

He was an attorney at the Macon-based Jones, Cork & Miller LLP and Atlanta-based King & Spalding LLP, WMAZ reported. Jones argued cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and represented Coca-Cola during his six-decade career, according to the Macon Telegraph.

It was his later work, however, that garned the most attention. In 2010, then-Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue tapped Jones to be part of an eight-lawyer team to represent the state in its fight to repeal the Affordable Care Act.

The effort proved unsuccessful, as the U.S. Supreme Court voted the law, also known as "Obamacare," constitutional in a 5-4 decision.

Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens hailed Jones.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend Frank C. Jones. Frank was an outstanding attorney with a storied career, but first and foremost, he was a gentleman. His many contributions to Macon, the State of Georgia, and our Nation will have a lasting positive impact," Olens said in a statement.

"I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to work closely with Frank as he led the team of pro bono lawyers who advised the State of Georgia and Governors Perdue and [Nathan] Deal on our challenge to President Obama's Affordable Care Act. Frank was a great American and Georgian. He will be missed."

Despite receiving his leukemia diagnosis late last year, Jones continued working at Jones, Cork & Miller in Macon as "counsel" to the firm.

"He never quit until it was impossible for him to work," a partner at the firm, Hugh Lovein, told the Macon Telegraph.

Another partner at the Macon firm, Carr G. Dodson, called Jones "a great lawyer and a wonderful man."

"Everybody will miss him," Dodson told the paper. "He was in the great generation."

A veteran of World War II, Jones was involved in various organizations, including state and local bar associations, the Wesleyan College Board of Trustees and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra League, according to WMAZ.

Jones' funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Vineville United Methodist Church, with visitation scheduled Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Hart's at the Cupola at 6324 Peake Rd. in Macon, the station reported.