Robert Frederick Jones

Robert Frederick Jones, known as Bob or Bobby to friends and family, joined his wife, Jacquelyn G. Jones, in eternal rest on July 2, 2024. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 13, 1935 to Jonas and Mildred Rose Richardson Jones. The oldest of three boys, Bob is survived by two brothers, Thomas Brian Jones, married to Eva Mae (Louisiana), and Richard Wayne Jones, married to Suzanne (California). 

Bob, then age 17, met his future wife, Jackie, also known as "Bunny", at church when she was 14. They spent seventy years as a couple, sixty-five of them united in holy matrimony. In one of his last conversations he said of Jackie, "She is the light of my life."

Together they raised six children: Karen Jones Shiver, married to Larry Shiver (Texas), Christine Jones-Daboll, married to David Daboll (Colorado), Brian Jones, married to Jennifer Jones (Florida), Marda Jones (Mississippi), Linda Jones (New Jersey), and Wayne Jones, married to Jessica Jones (Texas). They were further blessed - by birth, marriage, or by choice - with sixteen grandchildren, one granddaughter-in-law, and seven great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Following Hurricane Katrina, Bob and Jackie joined Karen and Larry Shiver on their property in Bedias, Texas, where he lived for the past nineteen years. He became an integral part of the community in his time there.

Bob was a medical technologist for over forty years, helping to save lives and improve health for countless patients in Louisiana and Texas. He continued working until the age of 80, when he retired from CHI St Joseph Hospital in Madisonville, Texas. 

A graduate of University of New Orleans and prepared for ministry by the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Bob was also an ordained Baptist Minister, serving for a time as a pastor in South Carolina. After moving to Bedias, TX, he became an active member and lay minister of Bedias United Methodist Church. 

Bob spent his entire life working to help people. Indeed, the phrase "he never met a stranger," could apply to his entire life. He gifted his children with exposure to, concern for, and acceptance of people of all social, economic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. He and Jackie actively supported civil rights for all.

But he is perhaps best remembered as a singer and trombone player, joyfully sharing his musical gifts wherever he went. Bob sang and played trombone at LSU, served as a band member in the United States Army (including two years stationed in South Korea), and played with the New Orleans Concert Band. 

He was the oldest trombone player ever to perform with the Celebrant Singers, traveling with them on their mission trip to Mexico. He sang and performed at numerous churches and weddings throughout his life, and in past years performed at the Bedias Talent Shows, frequently played at the Bedias Library, and sang and played with Shiloh Baptist Church at Riverwood Healthcare as often as he was able. Members of Bedias Methodist Church remember his beautiful harmonies, his lovely voice, and his trombone playing. 

His legacies to his children are his loving example of how to help people, and a deep appreciation for music. He will be remembered for his bright smile, and will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at the Bedias Methodist Church (formerly BUMC), on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at 1 P.M. Family members are invited to gather at 11 A.M., before the service, to visit. Friends and family are invited to stay afterwards for food and fellowship. 

Local arrangements are under the direction of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.