James Jones loved jazz, reading the Wall Street Journal, chocolate, Arkansas, his dog named DOG, and walking. He was known on the east side of town for walking around the health department building on College Street while he read his newspaper. He was shy and was uncomfortable as the center of attention, but he was always willing to help others whether it be putting up Christmas lights on the buildings on the square, working for several years as the sound/lights tech for the civic center, putting out Christmas wreaths at City Cemetery, building floats, and helping family members with any projects in which they were involved. No one ever asked IF he wanted to help; it was just assumed that he would be there.
James was an active member of the local American Legion serving at various times as Commander, Vice Commander, and currently as treasurer. In the past he was a member of the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center Board and could cook a mean hamburger. Additionally, he worked with Sulphur Bluff Scholarship Foundation. He was a member of Sulphur Bluff Methodist Church. As a youngster he belonged to his local Boy Scout troop, earning the Life and Order of the Arrow levels.
James was born August 16-17, 1936, Henderson, TX, to Frank H. Jones and Della Justiss Jones. The confusion as to the exact day was because one date was on the birth certificate and Miss Della claimed the other date. He always accepted Miss Della’s version .
Because his dad worked in the oil business, they often moved, and the family wound up in the oil field at Sulphur Bluff where James and his sister Barbara Ann grew up. That community, and school, and his amazing parents molded my Jim and his sister into superior citizens. James graduated from Sulphur Bluff High School and from ETSTC with a BS degree in Industrial Design. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted and served his country for 2 ½ years in the Army.
James is survived by his wife Annada Elliott Jones: (They would have celebrated 48 years on December 17); niece Nancy Smith, of New Mexico, and special cousins, Gary Harrell(Lynn), Mary Pierce (Ed) of El Dorado, Arkansas, and cousin by marriage, Jimmy Gilbert (Susie), Darrell Baxter. Kim Baxter and David Baxter, Trey Elliott, and Joel Elliott.: Those relatives who paved the way for James are Frank and Della Jones, sister Barbara Ann Jones Smith, niece Kathleen Smith Sartin.
A Gathering in James’ memory will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are under the direction of West Oaks Funeral Home. www.westoaksfuneralhome.com
