Texas Elmer Jones (Tex) passed away Monday, October 7, 2013 in Wagener, South Carolina at the age of 89.
Tex was born on February 6, 1924 in Annona, Texas to Verner and Francine Jones. The middle child of five, he had two brothers, Art and Paul; and two sisters, Pat and Nell. At the age of fifteen, Tex joined the United States Army as an infantryman and later joined the elite 101st Airborne Division. During the Second World War, he served as a Pathfinder in advance of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, jumped into Holland for the Market Garden offensive, fought at Bastogne during the Ardennes Offensive, and completed with cleanup operations through Hitler’s private residence at Eagle’s Nest in Berchtesgaden. He continued his service to his country following the war and retired from the Army in 1964 with the rank of Master Sergeant (E-8). After leaving the Army, he worked as a carpenter and farmer, because he loved to see the results of a good day’s work.
On September 17, 1976 He married Harriet Phillips in Dallas, Texas and was a loving husband to her and father to his son Shane until his death. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren, very much.
He is survived by his wife, Harriet Jones; his son Dennis Jones and wife Debbie (Atlanta, GA); his daughter Kathy Jones (Dallas, TX), and his son Shane Phillips and wife Peggy (Lexington, SC). He is also survived by four grandchildren, Candie Phipps, Stephanie Phipps, Candace Phillips and Logan Phillips.
The family will hold a private memorial service on Saturday, October 12 at his home in Wagener, South Carolina.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Cancer Research Institute at http://www.cancerresearch.org/.
