A Service of Remembrance and Celebration of Life for D.W. “Jim” Jones Jr. will be Saturday, August 22, 2015, 10:00 AM at the Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Don Johnson officiating. Private interment will be in the Waukomis Cemetery.
Jim was born December 29, 1925 in Harris, MO to D.W. Jones Sr and Gladys Pearl Baker and died August 15, 2015 at his residence. He and his family moved to Enid from Kansas in 1938. He attended grade school in Winfield, KS. Jim graduated from Enid Longfellow Jr High in 1940 and Enid High School in 1943. He earned Degrees in Marketing and Management from Phillips University.
In 1945, Jim met a tall, beautiful red-headed lady, named Marcella Hromas. They were immediately attracted to each other. They married a year later on September 26, 1946 in Marcella’s home southwest of Waukomis, OK. They loved working together in their gardens. He raised tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers and she had a beautiful rose garden along with other pretty flowers. They loved to travel, going overseas and seeing America. They loved to dance. Because they had no children, they gave their love to animals, three poodles, Dandy Beau Prince, Beau Prince, Jr and Prince Michael; four cats, Tiger, Blue Boy, Funny Face and Kitty. They were cremated and buried with Marcella. They celebrated 60 years of marriage before her death on January 22, 2007. Years later, Jim ran into Claire Pitman who he had dated in high school. They enjoyed dining out and spending time together until her untimely death on September 14, 2010.
In 1944 Jim traveled with the Oklahoma Cowboy Softball team. They played teams located in Wichita, KS, St Louis, MO and Chicago, IL as well as some smaller towns in between. While in Chicago, they were guests on the national radio program call Don McNeil Breakfast Club. He led Philip University basketball team in scoring his freshman year averaging 17 points a game. In 1945 he was offered a scholarship from Mr Henry IBA at Oklahoma A&M College. He was a member of the 1945 Oklahoma A&M National Champion team. Jim was an avid tennis player. He began playing at the age of 12 and finally had to retire at 82 in 2008. He won the Enid High School Championship in 1942 and 1943 as well as the State High School Championship in 1943. He was a member of the Enid 1943 High School Champion Basketball Team. Jim enjoyed a good poker game and was a member of the poker club for over 47 years and still active at the time of his death.
Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing with his very special friends, Doug Jackson, Pat Blevins, Jim Strate, Phil Brown, and his nephews, Joe Neal and Jason Hampton. He found pleasure in watching the Jackson kids, Harrison, Maggie, Maddie and Hannah grow up from grade school to become college students. It made him feel like a grandpa. During his later years, he had major health problems. Doug and Beth were always there for him. He felt truly blest to be part of this wonderful family. Jim and Sharon Strate were good neighbors and very good friends and enjoyed dining and going out with them.. Jim and Marcella enjoyed going out to dinner and spending evenings with them. They can not be thanked enough for all the help they gave during Marcella’s illness. Pat and Gloria Blevins were great friends, also. Clay Hutson was like a grandson to him. Margaret Skoda’s jellies were the best he ever had. Our friend, Starla Schmidt for 35 years kept his home nice and comfortable and was still active at the time of his death.
He worked for General Baking Company (Bond products) for 25 years. He retired in 1971 as General Manager. He bought the Sage Room Restaurant in 1972. It became the only Three Star Restaurant within a 100 mile radius of Enid. The objective of the Sage Room was to have a well- trained staff to be dedicated to their quests by providing good service, fine food, and a pleasant atmosphere. A talented Doug Swanson added to that atmosphere with his piano. He played for birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions, providing great music with his piano for over 30 years. In his spare time he played for nursing homes and for other shut-ins. He has become a legend. Jim sold the restaurant in 2010 and retired.
Jim is survived by his brother, W. Douglas Jones of Enid, OK and several nephews and nieces; the Hampton family, Joe Neal, Joanie, Evelyn, Jessie and Hannah, Brent and Carol and the Kinmans, Dan and Claudia, the Brinkley family, Michael, Jennie, Cooper and Reagan.
He served in the Korean War from 1952-1954. He was a Non Commissioned Officer in charge of the 40th Division Signal School.
Jim was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of Christ United Methodist Church for 65 years.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Enid SPCA with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home custodian of the funds. Online condolences may be left and the service may be viewed at ladusauevans.com
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