Dr. Francis Dunn Jones Jr.

1943 - 2019

Dr. Francis Dunn Jones, Jr., long-time Conway resident, died May 23, 2019, after a long illness. Born July 27, 1943, in Alexandria, Louisiana, his parents were Evelyn Ray (Coats) Jones and Francis Dunn Jones. He is survived by his wife, Mary (Molly); his son, Francis Dunn Jones, III of Conway; his daughter, Maryevelyn Jones of Fayetteville; his brother, Dr. Laird Evan Jones of Springfield, Missouri; his sister, Gail Ray Reed of Bixby Oklahoma, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Janet Sue Kirsch.

Dr. Jones grew up in Little Rock and in Springfield, Missouri, and received his doctorate degree in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri in 1967. He served as a Captain in the United States Army Veterinary Corps from 1967 to 1969, stationed in DaNang, Vietnam, where one of his duties was operating a clinic caring for service animals. He returned to Arkansas in 1970. In 1971 he established the first solely small animal practice in Conway, and practiced here until his retirement, due to illness, in 2014.

Dr. Jones was active in his professional organizations, was very supportive of wildlife conservation, and was proud of his service on IUCUC committees at UCA and Hendrix. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed outdoor activities, especially those involving his bird dogs. He loved his family and friends, his clients and his patients, and particularly awful jokes which he shared frequently and indiscriminately.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Arkansas Veterinary Medical Foundation, St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Conway, The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, or to a charity of your choice.

A memorial service for Dr. Jones will be held at St Peter's Episcopal Church in Conway at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, May 31, 2019.