Gerald Ray

Jones

Gerald Ray Jones, 80, of Trent. Texas, peacefully passed away Wednesday, August 28,2024 while surrounded by hisfamily at Northern Oaks Nursing home in Abilene, Texas Funeral services will be at 1:00 P.M. Sunday, September 1, 2024 at McCoy Chapel of Memories with Sam  Jones officiating. Military Honors will be performed by the United States Honor Guard. Gerald Jones, a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully on the morning of August 28, 2024surrounded by his family.

Gerald was born to Autry Morrell and Allene Jones on January 3, 1944 in Tahoka , Tx..  He met Gloria Holub in San Angelo, and they were married on December 4, 1965. After only five months of marriage, he was drafted and proudly served his country in Viet Nam from 1965-1968.  It was there that he met and became close friends with Sam Atwood.  Theirs would become a lifelong friendship lasting nearly 50 years.  If you didn't know, you would think they were brothers.  Decades of vacations with the Atwood's atthe lake swimming, skiing or fishing.  At their beach house driving his old Bronco up and down Crystal Beach. Too many fond memories to recall.  Dad dearly loved Sam.After Viet Nam, Gerald was a man of many talents.  He became a hairdresser for a time, then he worked in construction, banking for a while, farming and ranching, then back to banking for many years.  Finally, after 28 years as aninsurance adjuster, he retired from Crawford and Company in 2017.  He left as a very highly skilled and respected employee. However, 2017 was the beginning of a very difficult seven years, marked by open heart surgery, major brain surgery, a stroke and several other significant health issues.

Throughout his life, thick and thin, highs and lows, nothing brought him greater joy than his family.  This December, Gerald and Gloria would have celebrated 59 years of marriage.  A truly rare accomplishment these days.  Gerald didn't really have a "hobby" so to speak, at least not like most think of a hobby.  His "hobby" was his sons.  Fixing up old cars, selling them after a few months, only to start over again on another one.

Gerald was truly one of the most generous and hospitable people we've ever known.   We never knew anyone to buy their own meal if he was around.  From helping a high schooler with money to buy their animal for FFA to hotel rooms for friends out of town for medical treatment, his life was defined by the act of giving.  As his sons, we always said, we could ask him for his left arm, and he would've given it to us.

Gerald is survived by his wife Gloria of Trent, Tx, son Chris Jones of Trent, Tx, Son and daughter in law Sam and Delena Jones of Abilene, Tx., granddaughter Maycee Jones of Merkel. Tx., his sister Sandy Clark of Ft Worth, Tx, niece Tara Clark of Ft Worth, Tx and nephew Quent Clark of Ft Worth.

He was preceded in death, his father Autry Morrell Jones, mother Allene Zirkle and stepfather Billy Zirkle.

In the midst of such deep pain losing a loved one, we can find great comfort in the promise found at Revelation 21:4 where God promises to "wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore, the former things have passed away."