E. Holman Jones

E. Holman Jones

E. Holman Jones, a native of Oakdale and business man, died Sunday January 12, 2014, in Lafayette General Hospital. He was 87 years of age. He was owner of Magnolia Printing Company for over 50 years and publisher-owner of the Oakdale Journal/Oakdale Beacon for 15 years. He and the late Harold Hudgins began the Oakdale Beacon in 1960 as a free publication to provide Allen Parish citizens with advertisement and parish wide news.

Everett Holman Jones was born in Oakdale, Louisiana December 17, 1926, the oldest son of Jessie Holman Jones and Maggie Williams Jones. His brother, John Roland Jones, preceded him in death as did his parents. He is a descendant of the Thomas Welch Family who were one of the first seven families to settle Oakdale and to establish the Oakdale First Baptist Church.

His Celebration of Life will be held at one o clock on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 in Oakdale First Baptist Church with Pastor Michael McIntosh officiating. Visitation with the family has been scheduled for five o clock to nine o clock Tuesday, January 14th in Rush Funeral Home and again on Wednesday from ten o clock until twelve o clock. Interment will be in the Oakdale Cemetery under the direction of Rush Funeral Home following the service.

Quiet and unassuming, Holman believed in God, country and his family. He loved Oakdale and Allen Parish and gave his time and talent to many endeavors. He was a graduate of Oakdale High Schoo where he was Captain of his Oakdale Warrior Football Team and Captain of the ROTC Unit. He attended Sowella Tech in Lake Charles after serving two years in the U. S. Navy during World War II as a radioman.

He served in many capacities during his lifetime: he was an officer of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Industrial Development Board; he was a long time Oakdale Lions Club member and a member of the Oakdale Jaycees. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and serve Yellow Pine Lodge #282 as Master of the Lodge. He was elected State representative 1968-1972, serving under Governor John McKeithen. He brought many scholarships to deserving senior students in Allen Parish, and devoted time to rural infrastructure by serving on the Long Range Highway Committee. During his tenure as a State Legislator, he passed legislation to create the 33rd Judicial District Court.

Mr. Jones was appointed and served on the Oakdale ecreation District Board of Directors for over 40 years, serving as President for 37 years. During that time the two Oakdale swimming pools were built and maintained; three ball fields were built or re-built for both boys and girls and support given to district and state playoffs each year. He was dedicated to administering Red Cross Swimming Lessons for the youth of the area to have this advantage. He was Past President of the Oakdale Alumni Association.

Recognized for his many quiet efforts during his years of service, he was the recipient of the 2000 Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce Civic Service Award; received the 1992 State School Bell Award for promoting excellence in education through the Louisiana Press Association; received the 1999 Sam Walton Business Leader Award; and he and his wife Pat received former Allen Parish Sheriff Hal Turner s Community Award for outstanding support of the Allen Parish Sheriff s Department, the only civilians to win the award. He was an accomplished musician and shared his time, talent and heart with many people throughout the years. His great joy was hearing his children and grandchildren share his love of music and his talent.

Holman considered his family his greatest accomplishment. He was married for over 63 years to Patricia Roberts Jones and together they have five children: Fredrick Holman Jones and wife Rita and John Craig Jones, both of Oakdale; Marilyn Ann Jones Lee and husband Joe R. Buddy Lee of Lafayette; Susan Lynn Jones Murry and husband, William E. Bill Murry of Oakdale, and Patrick Jones and wife Karen of Pineville. They are the proud grandparents of eleven beloved grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Pallbearers were his three sons: Rick, Craig and Patrick Jones, his two son-in-laws, Buddy Lee and Bill Murry; and his oldest grandson, Jesse Holman Jones. Honorary pall bearers are members of his close knit Texas friends: Mrs. C. D. Butler, Ms. Linda Byrd, Dr. and Mrs. Ken Orten, Captain and Mrs. Bill Evans, and John and Gay Nakunz-Gandy. Also Judge Joel Davis, Bobby Abrusley, Billy McPherson, Jim Davidson, Ennis Buddy Duck, McCoy Ray, Tommy Doucet and Bob Fogleman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Louisiana Masonic Education Foundation, Yellow Pine Lodge 282, P. O. Box 285, Oakdale, LA 71463; or Oakdale First Baptist Church Building Fund, 117 South 12th Street, Oakdale, LA 71462 or to charity of choice.