Eddie Hugh Jones

Eddie Hugh Jones, of Merkel, died Tuesday, December 4, 2007, at the age of 75. Graveside services will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, December 7, at the Fort Sill National Cemetery in Elgin, Oklahoma. Arrangements are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Eddie was born in Thalia, Texas on February 8, 1932 to Hugh Springfield Jones and Lora Lee (French) Jones. He graduated from Childress High School in 1950. Following graduation, Eddie served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1953. He was discharged as a Sergeant First Class following the Korean War. He attended Hardin-Simmons University on the G.I. Bill from 1953 to 1957. Eddie married Sandra Jane Rister on December 18, 1955 in Abilene, Texas. He worked for Dono Oil Company for three years, and then managed a drive-in grocery store while attending college. He re-entered the Army in 1957 as a Second Lieutenant, and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1975. Subsequent to retirement from the U.S. Army, he owned and operated a grocery store from 1975-1977 and then was engaged in the farming and ranching business for about ten years. Eddie enjoyed playing golf. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, A.C. Jones, and one sister, Greta Longbine. Eddie is survived by his wife, Jane Jones, of Merkel; two sons, Wesley Jones and his wife Librada Jones, of Dallas, Jeffery Jones and his wife Candie, of Merkel; one sister, Betty Alexander, of Austin; five grandchildren, including, Amy Jones, of Stephenville, Ryder Thomas, of Merkel and Nicole Thomas, also of Merkel; two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The family requests that memorials be made in honor of Eddie Jones to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, Texas 79605 or to the Meek Children's Hospital, 1900 Pine Street, Abilene, Texas 79605.