O.K. Jones

O.K. Jones, Jr., "Buddy", 92, died May 25, 2008, in Lubbock, Texas. Buddy was born in Lamesa, Texas, on April 28, 1916, to O. K. and Maria Eleanor Atterbury Jones, and spent most of his life in West Texas. A 1934 graduate of Abilene High School, Buddy attended Texas A&M and Hardin Simmons. Buddy became the Distribution Superintendent for West Texas Utilities in Stamford, retiring after 29 years of service. He also served in the Army Air Force for two years, where he spent a 13-month tour in the Philippines and rose to the rank of Sergeant. While at Hardin Simmons, Buddy met and later married Opal Lou Brock on August 24, 1940 in Abilene. They had three sons and spent their 57 years of marriage working and serving their communities. Buddy and Opal Lou were active members of First Baptist Church in Stamford, where they taught Sunday School together and were involved in many aspects of church life. Buddy also served as a Deacon for the church and later on as a Pastor for the Senior Adults. He was most recently a member of First Baptist Church in Abilene. Buddy and Opal Lou were also actively involved in the Boy Scouts of the Chisholm Trail Council in both Abilene and Stamford. Friends could always depend on Buddy to lend them a hand, whether it was to help with minor home repairs or as the appointed driver for a weekend trip. Buddy was preceded in death by his wife in 1997, parents, and sisters, Catherine Jones Baldridge and Eleanor Jones Hutchison. He is survived by his three sons, O.K. Jones III (Skipper) and his wife, Jannice, of Spring; Kenneth Allen Jones and his wife, Sherry, of Lubbock; J. Gary Jones and his wife, Margaret, of Tulsa, OK; and cousin, Helen Sue Riley of Abilene. He has six grandchildren, Darren Jones of Missouri City; Coby Jones of Marietta, Georgia; Laura Jones Martinez of Wylie; Tiffany Jones Boyce of Plano; Mindy Jones Wilkins of Lubbock; and Matthew Jones of Frisco. Buddy was blessed to have nine great-grandchildren, who loved to receive his affectionate hugs and kisses. Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, May 27, at 11:00 a.m. in Elmwood Memorial Park with the Reverend Bruce Lampert officiating under the direction of Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd, Abilene 79606. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to First Baptist Church of Stamford--Building Fund; 214 N Swenson St, Stamford, TX 79553 or Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory, Abilene, TX 79601.