Jerry Don Jones

As many of us know, Jerry had a great gift for telling stories about his family history, his personal life, and when that wasn't enough his imagination took over. Those of us close to him and the Joneses know that he came by all of that very honestly in the mold of his dad, Buck, and all Jerry's uncles and his aunts that I met.

I believe God gave Jerry an extra four years as sort of a ripening process. Meny good things that had been eclipsed before seemed to come to the surface and be amplified. He never lost his sense of humor and his bemused way of looking at his own and other people's foibles, but he became more open about deeper issues of the heart and his faith.

As Pat's husband, I've been around Jerry and Diana for well over fifty years, and its been a very special thing to be a part of their lives and share many memories. Hopefully the next generation will carry on the tradition of remembering the past, living in the present, and preparing for the future.

Diana, may God bless and keep you,look to God for support.We have lost a
good man and a good friend.Semper Fi Jerry I miss you.

I've been putting off this writing in this "guest book". I guess its because I still can't think or certainly write about JD without bawling like a 3 year old. It's just too much. But here goes.....
I first met Jerry (by that I mean to remember) in 1953. He had come out from Salinas to spend time with my Dad. I was a red-hot 7 year old and he immediately became my hero. Through the years, that never changed. As we both grew we became closer. Not closer as cousins but closer as friends, buddies, brothers. We went out separate ways as to religion and politics and other stuff but through it all we were friends, buddies and brothers. When he got sick we talked continually about his illness and the end. He was not morbid or depressed about his pending fight and ultimate death. It was just the way things were and he faced it like a man. I was there at the last like he would have been for me. He knew he had approached his last sunset and he was ready (as ready as anyone can be, at least). As I go on and approach my on death somewhere, sometime, I know I will reflect on JD's courage and sense of humor. It stood him in good stead and his example will serve me well also. God, I miss you old friend but we'll meet again. You bring the Bar-B-Cue, I'll get the Whiskey!! Again, RIP.
Joe

My Grandpa was a great man. Always there for me, he was there for everyone.
I remember the story he told me about a gorilla that lived in the woods that pulled his finger off! After that I was scared to go outside.
I also remember when we made a "Texas Ranger Hideout".
My life was fun when my Grandpa was alive, but I know he is in a better place now and I can't change that.

Jerry was a unique person. He loved history and literature. When we were children we found an old American Lit book that had belonged to someone in the 30's. Though he was only in the fourth grade, he read the stories, essays and poetry. He even memorized some of the poems. He was my little brother, and he will always be in my heart.
Wanda Jones Hampton