James Lonnie Jones Jr.

My dear Dad,
I remember being his little side kick. Wherever he went I would follow along, whether it was the grocery store or an Astros game, we were together. His hand was so big that I could only grasp two fingers but I held on tight. I will never forget the beautiful roses he grew on Oboe Street, the Easter egg hunts, decorating for Christmas and making homemade ice cream. I admire him as a devoted father, who only wanted his children to be happy and true to ourselves.
Thank you Dad for always being there for me, as I will always be your little girl. I look forward to hugging you again but until then, we will be connected through our hearts. I love you Daddy.

Hey Pops,

Things were a bit tough recently but that is not how I thought of you then nor is it how I think of you now.
I remember you going from sun up to sun down. Always wanting to do one more thing in the yard between
baseball games with Steve and I on the weekends. The dad who adapted to the changes in life like going
back to college in your 50's for AUTOCAD. The dad who stayed in Houston during the tougher economic
times. The dad who changed his diet and exercised to lower his diabetes numbers. The dad who didn't
sacrifice his principles or take short cuts. The dad who was always supportive even if you did not agree 100%.
Dad, I was paying attention the whole time. I always respected and loved you even when we didn't agree and I always will.

Dear KC, Jeff, and family:

Jim Jones has been like family to my family since way before I was born, so this loss really hurts. You are in our prayers for healing and the peace that passeth all understanding in the difficult days and months to come. Jim was my dad Gerry's best friend, and he came into Gerry's life when he really needed a best friend. Dad had moved to Galveston from Kansas during the early part of WWII, when his mom's doctor told her she had to go south where winters were warmer, or her heart disease would kill her. New in town as he started 6th grade, Dad soon fell in with a buddy named Max, and they were inseparable. The summer between 7th and 8th grade, Max and Dad were riding bikes together in downtown Galveston. Max grabbed the handle on the back of a delivery truck to get a tow. Dad tried to catch up and do likewise, but the driver sped up and turned right. Max was crushed to death between the truck and a four-foot curb, right before Dad's eyes. He had to tell Max's parents what happened. Dad was devastated, and blamed himself even though it wasn't his fault. It was soon after that when he met Jim, and they became best friends for life.

Dad and Jim were riding back to TCU from Galveston after the holidays around 1950 with an acquaintance, when the distracted driver had a head-on collision. Nobody was killed, but Jim broke his pelvis and was out of commission for months. Later, after Dad met Gayle, a Ft. Worth gal, Jim was his Best Man, and was his wheel man as they left the church. Dad had hidden his new '55 Ford Custom he'd just bought as he was commissioned as a USAF 2nd Lt. in order to protect it from his buddies, who wanted to decorate it with cans and white shoe polish, or worse. When Dad was at Ellington AFB for flight training, he shared a Houston apartment with Jim, Ray Bunce (his two 7' sons were part of Phi Slamma Jamma) and Charlie Thompson. That era bonded those guys further.

Jim was at TCU for part of the time Dad was. Dad walked on to the TCU football team, and they were always big Horned Frog supporters. I grew up pulling for TCU too, but switched allegiances to Texas after we moved to Austin in the mid-60s. It was likely the November 1967 TCU game when Jim and your mom came to visit us in Austin. We all went to the game. We sat in the north end zone section dubbed "The Knothole Section," where kids only paid a buck. (It's $80 now.) Much to my displeasure, and Jim's and Gerry's glee, TCU handed UT a 24-17 drubbing; the last time TCU beat the Horns for 40 years. The next day, Dad invited his guests to church. We attended St. Davids' Episcopal , but Jim, a Methodist, resisted. Dad promised there would be a cool surprise but would not give a hint. He finally bugged Jim into going. LBJ was president at the time, and Lady Bird was a St. David's member who attended when the Johnsons were in Texas. Dad was then Sunday School Superintendent, and was responsible for lining out the Secret Service with plans for the visit to keep the President safe. I saw no barrier, however, as LBJ and Lady Bird entered the church thru a back hall. I strode up and shook both their hands in greeting. Jim was astounded, even though he was a Republican.

Jim welcomed us to stay at the house on Oboe whenever we were headed thru Houston to see our grandparents in Galveston. One Sunday morning, there was a grease fire in the kitchen, and we had a real fire drill. The bacon didn't make it. I was probably about ten; Steven was just a baby. Jim was godfather to my sister and I, and I believe Dad might have returned the favor for at least some of the Jones kids. We watched y'all grow up from afar.

Jim loved sports. He took Dad, my sister and me to see the Astros beat the Reds before Cincinnati became the Big Red Machine. It was so far back that Joe Morgan was an Astro, before he starred on all those Reds teams. Pete Rose was on the team. I think it was Johnny Bench's rookie year. Houston had Don Wilson pitching, Dennis Mencke at 3B, future manager Jack Billingham in the pen, Rusty Staub, who later was an Expos star, and Jimmy Wynn, "the Toy Cannon" in the OF. Jim followed UH football closely. In '78 when I was at UT, he invited my buddy and I to spend the night at his place in Spring after we went to the Texas/Houston game. Our childhood friend played RT for Texas, who beat UH on the terrible Astrodome duct-taped-at-the-seams carpet that gave Earl Campbell such aches and pains as an Oiler. He was a rookie for the Oilers that year and watched from the sidelines. We talked lots of sports-Rockets, Astros, Oilers, Texans, college ball over the years, It was safe territory, and avoided politics which would set off him (or my dad).

Steve, Jim, my folks and my friend James took a raft trip down the Guadalupe River in Summer '85. We had a great time, and to Jim, I was finally a grown-up even though I'd been paying my way for years. He attended my sister's wedding and mine as well. I think I never saw him prouder than he was at KC's wedding. He was just glowing, and so happy for his little girl. Her kids, growing up around him, have been a great tonic for him in his later years. He was so proud of how all his kids grew up. KC became a great mom and teacher. Jeff has worked long hours driving, got respectable, and worked so hard to take care of his son, and later Jim. He was so grateful when he talked with me about it. Although they butted heads when Steve was younger, Jim was proud of the man Steven became, working as a skillful soundman at an elite level on feature films, videos and commercials. He was so fond of Theresa, who helped Steve get to that point. I even hired Steve for a week about 18 years ago as boom operator on a video my agency produced and I shot. It was great that the friendships continued a second generation. Steve even served as soundman at my wedding. Although he was not my best man, it was cool that another Jones was part of another Tharp wedding, and it cemented our friendship further. Steve helped me work on restoring our antique house, and he and I shared a love for the Spurs and Chicago Bulls (Michael Jordan edition).

I last saw Jim in 2016 when I visited while in town for another video shoot. It was after Dad had passed, and Steve was gone by then also. We reminisced about them, about sports, and many other subjects. I thanked him for having been Dad's best friend, and for being such a great friend to our family. I was sad to leave, but had to get to work early the next day. In the back of my mind, I thought it could be the last time. I'm sorry that it was. Jim was not related by blood, but he was like an uncle to me, because he and Gerry were brothers. Now, I'm all out of uncles, and I'm the poorer for it.

Stay strong, and remember the good things your dad taught you. Look out for each other, especially during these tough times. That's what he would want.

Love,
Rich

K. C., Jeff and Family,
I first met Jim in 1990 when he came to work for our firm, Robert Reid Consulting Engineer, Inc. It didn't take long to realize how talented he was! He was one of the few individuals that could perform Manual Drafting and Design as well as Electronic Drafting via Auto Cad. In addition to being a great, loyal employee, he was an even greater Friend! We both loved discussing sports, but our favorite topic was always the Houston Astros, whether it was good times or bad times! Earlier this year, Jim told me he was going to retire. It made me very sad, but I guess we both knew the time was right.
Rest in peace, Old Friend! And God Bless K. C., Jeff and all of the Family.
With Kindest Regards,
John

Dear Mr. Jones,

You have been a wonderful father in law and great friend to my family. I am sad for the loss of Mr. Jones because of what a friendship that we had. There were many trips that we took together and meals shared with discussion of daily events. We have shared many good times together and struggled through the more difficult times. All in all, I benefited from our friendship and the lessons that you taught me about life. It may have seemed as though I wasn't listening but I remember your words. One day, I am going to be a Father in Law to my children and I will remember the kindness you showed me. I will miss you forever, You are in my heart.

“If it is not true then do not say it,
If it is does not belong to you do not touch it,
If you are not going to school then you go to work
and if you are not working then you go to school.”

- James L. Jones

Grandpa Jim,
Thank you for the knowledge and guidance you bestowed upon me during our times together. I will always strive to achieve like you. I will never forget your unwavering love, compassion, and kindness no matter what the circumstance was. Your standard is the standard and I can never go wrong as long as I maintain that degree of excellence in my life. I will not let you down. You are missed daily. I was truly blessed to have a leader like you in my life as many do not. I love you.

Respectfully,
Joshua