James Wayne Jones

James Wayne Jones was a man of Godly principle, faithfully serving God Almighty throughout his life, and devoted to his family.  Humble and extremely reserved, incredibly strong, wonderfully loving of all people, he was always welcoming.  He always cared about others, and was a calming presence in life's storms.  He married Elnora Christine Jones on November 30, 1957 in Irving, Texas.  He passed away on January 13, 2023 after a courageous battle against cancer in Valley View, Texas.

Born on August 14, 1936 in Dallas, Texas to parents J.S. Jones and Elsie Lorene Gravely Jones, very early in his youth, James dedicated his life to serving the Lord Jesus Christ and sharing the Gospel with everyone he came into contact with, demonstrated by his actions and his few words.  He served in multiple capacities in the church, from a member to an elder leader.  Every job he did for the Lord God Almighty was of utmost importance and he successfully accomplished them all.  For many years, he was the song service leader at First Assembly of God church in Sanger, Texas which he faithfully attended for over 50 years.

After graduating high school in 1954, he went to work for Magnolia Oil Company (Mobil) as a field surveyor.  In 1959, he was drafted into the US Army where he served as a Signal Corps Communications Non-Commissioned Officer in the 7th Infantry Division, 7th Aviation Company along the DMZ in the Republic of South Korea.  After honorably serving his country, he separated from the US Army, returning to work for Mobil Oil Corporation. Then, after working 38 years for Mobil Oil Corporation he retired as a oil exploration senior supervisor in 1993 to spend more time at his home in Valley View, Texas with his wife, Elnora "Christine" Jones, whom he doted upon with love, honor and care.

James loved the outdoors, just being outside in God's wonderful creation was a daily blessing for him.  He delighted in the outdoors, fishing, camping, hunting, exploring as well as enjoying walking around his property.  Throughout the years, his garden produced many varieties of vegetables which made meals wonderfully delicious.  His woodworking abilities were well known, he hand-built beautiful picture frames for family members, as well as numerous trellis's for mom's flowers and for other family members too.  He had incredible mechanical skills, able to repair just about anything mechanical.  It was truly amazing what he could do and he kept everything maintained in operational condition.  It was truly amazing how skillful he was.  He was truly a jack of all trades.

James' family, which he loved and constantly prayed over, is a legacy to his reserved, Godly example which he daily demonstrated for all.  Along with his wife of 65 years Christine, he is remembered by his siblings:  Gary and wife Dorothy, Norman and his wife Dianne, Ronny and his wife Stacey, and sister-in-law Shirley Jones; sisters Joyce and husband Phillip Mitchell, Carol Newton, Judy and her husband Doug Neu.  He is remembered by his children Jerry and his wife Myla who live in Weatherford, Texas and Sandra and her husband Mike Kelley who live in Gainesville, Texas.  He is remembered by his grandchildren, Michael Zysko and his wife Bailey of Valley View, Texas, Paul Jones and his wife Erika of Cove, Arkansas, Alicia Drury and her husband Robert of Dublin, Texas, Shanna Grothe and her husband Michael of Springtown, Texas, Travis Arnold and his wife Micah of Roanoke, Texas.  He's remembered by his eight great-grandchildren:  David, Jeffery, Jason, Sarah, Barrett, Gwendolyn, Josephine and Mason; numerous nieces and nephews, plus innumerable friends and church family.  He was truly a blessing to everyone who knew him.  James was preceded in death by his parents J.S. Jones and Elsie Jones, and by his dear brother Leslie Earl Jones.

The family will receive friends 1:00-2:00pm Wednesday, January 18, 2023 at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home located at 602 Lindsay Street, Gainesville, TX 76240.  The funeral service will be held immediately after the visitation at 2:00pm in the chapel followed by burial at Valley View Cemetery located at I-35 North Frontage Road Valley View, Texas 76272.