Buford "Spud" Jones

He grew up in Lee County surrounded by his mother, father, and nine siblings (5 brothers and 4 sisters) His father, Lem, owned a cotton farm on which all the children worked. Buford was given the nickname "Spud" by a friend of the family which stuck with him until the day he passed away. He was given this name because he loved potatoes and was always eating them ("spud" is a nickname for a potato). By the age of 13, Buford could smoke, drive a car, and work a plow just as good as any grown man.

When Buford turned 18, he joined the Army to serve his country during WWII. He served in the 903rd field artillery battalion during the War, campaigning through France and Germany. Sergeant "Buck" Jones was part of the historic "Battle of the Bulge". Buford proudly told the story of the weeks he spent in a fox hole during this battle and how, once the battle was over, the soldiers were taken to a small town in Germany to have a shower, get clean clothes and eat a hot meal. Buford also recounted that after this shower, he almost froze to death because the dirt kept his pores closed!

Buford was honorably discharged from the Army on 2-17-1946. Unfortunately, the Army had misspelled his name and the new spelling stuck with him for the rest of his life! Buford's given name on his birth certificate was "Beauford" Jones. His Army name was "Buford" and once it got into the social security system, it was permanent!

He returned home after the War and became a truck driver, met Una Modene (Sandy) Standford and married her on 1-17-1947. After his wedding he decided to become a tile setter. He worked at Travis Tile Sales until he opened his own business in 1971.

Spud's new business "Buford Jones Tile Shop" (BJ's) was Spud's pride and joy. He loved tile setting! Nothing made him happier in life than "lighting up a cigarette" and talking about tile with someone, he could do it for hours. His shop was a family business from the receptionist, to the tile setters, to the bookkeeper. The Buford Jones Tile Shop existed until 1984 when Spud unfortunately, had a stroke, and the company had to shut down.

Buford was also very active in his church. He donated much labor and material from his store to the Church. Whenever the need arose, Spud was there with flooring or carpeting or any kind of construction work. He was also a Sunday school teacher (again, loves to talk) and a Deacon. He supported his church up to the very last day he was able. He continued his spiritual devotion all his life.

Sandy and Spud had three daughters, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Spud worked very hard to support his family of five, but every once in a while, as a treat to his family; he would take off an afternoon in the summer. He would take his kids to Bartholomew swimming pool where he would be the "motor boat" and take them all over the pool. When he had his "grandfather" hat on, he was always on hand if needed for anything, from being a little league coach to sitting for hours in a hospital room just for support.

Sadly, Spud lost his middle daughter De Ellen to breast cancer on December 27, 2007, and his beloved grandson Jason Brian Cooper in 1995 from complications of the heart. He loved them both very much.

Spud and Sandy had a meaningful life together for almost 63 years. Sandy would take care of Spud, and when the time came, Spud took care of Sandy until her death on Dec. 7, 2012. He was a loving, supportive, and caring husband.

Spud was the last surviving member of the family with which he grew up. His last brother Elton passed away in September 2014. Buford's surviving offspring include:

• Donna Kay Jones Heine

• Janalee Ruth Jones Canga

• Lynn Michelle Heine Voigt

• Greg Richard Heine

• Nichole Lee Canga

• Danielle Elizabeth Canga

• Cody Scott Witt

• Colten Richard Heine

• Tyler Bryan Witt

• Hunter Shane Heine

Memorial contributions may be made in to Wesleyan Homes, Inc., 1811 N. Austin Ave, Georgetown, TX 78626 – "In Memory of Buford Jones"