Jon Jones

Jon Ellis Jones was born in Amarillo, TX, to Robert C. and Lois Jones on February 16, 1932 and had an older sister, Bobbie McMurtry. He graduated from Paschal High School in Fort Worth and received a degree in Bible at Abilene Christian College. While at ACC he met the love of his life, Joan (Brooks) Jones, and they were married on August 22, 1955 in Amarillo. Together they raised two daughters, Jan and Julie, and one son, Jeff.

Jon displayed a passion for life, and left lasting imprints on all of those he knew. He could turn an ordinary situation into a memorable event. He loved motorcycles, sports cars, and the Dallas Cowboys, displaying an exuberance for all of his endeavors. He lived out and encouraged a spirit of unity, at times breaking down existing barriers to fellowship. Jon’s trademark opening to every service was the verse, “This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it”. He practiced what he preached. Jon never met a stranger, but he often used phrases such as, “You old rascal!” (scallywag/dirty dog...), sometimes accompanied by a semi-headlock. There was a kindness in his eyes and he had the gift of making others feel welcome and included.

He dedicated his life to spreading the gospel, preaching at various congregations, including the University Church of Christ in Austin, Central Church in Miami and the North Richland Hills Church of Christ. Later in life he felt called to transition from preaching to becoming the Director of Bread for a Hungry World (now known as Christian Relief Fund) where the Burmese refugees in Thailand and the children in the Honduras captured his heart, and became a significant part of his life’s legacy of service.

In his later life he was challenged by Alzheimer’s and handled it like everything else in his life with humor, dignity and grace. He was loved by other residents and staff where he lived and provided a lightness of spirit and joy that followed him wherever he went.

Jon was preceded in death by his parents, sister, and wife. He is survived by his Children---Jan Patterson and her husband Jeff of Abilene, Jeff Jones and his wife JoAnn of Colorado Springs, CO, Julie Brown and her husband Scott of Abilene; Grandchildren and great-grandchildren-- Joy and Ben Langford, and their children Elijah, Emeline, and Eloise, Jessica and Sam Selby, and their children Gabriel, Brooklynn, and Theo, Jonathan and Alyson Brown and their children Emilia and Madeline, Michelle and Chad Robinson and their daughter June, Jaimie and Will Morgan and their son Everette, Joshua Patterson, Ryan Brown, and Julia Patterson.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 19 at 1:00pm at the Highland Church of Christ, preceded by a visitation time on Friday, October 18 from 5:00-7:00pm at the Piersall Funeral Home.

Memorials may be given to the Christian Relief Fund online at: christianrelieffund.org/give or at: Christian Relief Fund PO Box 19670 Amarillo, TX 79114.