Dan Clarence Jones

Dan Clarence Jones passed away peacefully on Feb 20, 2024 at his home in Georgetown, Texas, surrounded by his wife and children. Dan was born in Neodesha, Kansas to Dan Davis Jones and Ouida Shook Jones on June 9, 1930. Dan grew up a Preacher’s son in Hamlin, Texas, where he learned to drive at a young age and delivered goods across West Texas when he was still a young teen. Later Dan learned to fly and flew solo at age 16 for the first time. After graduating from Hamlin High (1947), Dan graduated from Texas Technological College (Texas Tech) at the age of 20 in 1950. He worked his way through Tech in a bakery owned by his uncle and aunt. Dan was an aficionado of bread baking from that moment on. He was proud of his Red Raiders and a lifetime fan.

In 1950, with the outbreak of the Korean War, Dan followed that love of flying and enlisted in the US Air Force. He attained the rank of Second Lieutenant and served as a Navigator. In 1953 Dan transitioned from the Air Force and moved to Houston, Tx, where he met and married the love of his life, Elva (Yvonne) Williamson. The two were soon joined by daughters Jenny and Patrice. Son Davis Lee followed several years later. Dan worked his entire life in the Insurance Business, starting with Travelers in 1953, and retiring from A&A as a Vice President for Underwriting in 1994. Not content to ever sit still, Dan signed on to teach a single class in risk management at the University of Houston Bauer College of Business. A friend had been teaching that class and bequeathed it to him upon his retirement. Due to the class’s popularity, that one class later grew to 4 and was taught to both undergraduate and graduate students. Dan thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of teaching and spending time with the students inside and outside of class. In the end he taught for 25 years, stopping only in his mid 80s. Along the way he authored several articles and a textbook on risk management for his classes.

Dan was an avid runner and in his early 40s, Dan developed a passion for running. He and his good friends formed a running group. Dan’s passion exploded and he later completed 10 Houston marathons and 4 Woodlands marathons. Dan was also a talented bass singer. He loved music and enjoyed singing in the Church Choir. He was overjoyed at being a member of the Texas Master Chorale and performed with them throughout Texas and on concert related tours overseas.

Dan loved cars and worked on his own cars for years. He imparted his love of cars to his son Davis and they both ended up owning Corvettes at the same time. After Davis graduated from Texas Tech the two of them were often seen on the road to take in one Tech sporting event or another.

Dan and Yvonne traveled extensively to visit family in the military stationed around the world and in the USA. They never missed a promotion or important event in the lives of their kids, or grandkids, including all High School and College Graduations. Their 8 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren adored “Daddy Dan” and he responded in kind. A favorite story involved his volunteering to co-pilot his oldest granddaughter on her automobile journey from El Paso to Texas A&M and to teach her to drive a car with a manual transmission along the way. Many believe this experience was more harrowing than his solo flight! Another involved taking his grandkids to see the Terra Cotta Warrior traveling exhibit in Houston. When Dan reached out to touch one of the life-like statues, it turned out that the statue was real and touched him back! This was one of his grandson Bobby’s favorite memories – he laughed for days.

Dan is survived by his loving wife Yvonne, his daughters Jenny Lennox (Bob), Patrice Briggs, and son Davis Jones. His grandchildren: Amanda McCabe (Dan), Daniel Lennox-Choate (Larry), Scott Briggs (Hilary), Mark Lennox (Jess), Carley Wagner (Aaron), Amelia and Fynner Jones. His great grandchildren: Emmaline, Grace, and Cora McCabe; Will and Paul Lennox. Dan is now reunited in Heaven with his mother and father, his sisters Bess Oliver and Sue Reynolds and his grandson Bobby Briggs. Dan has requested that no flowers be sent, and if desired, contributions may be made to the Dan C. and Yvonne W. Jones Scholarship Endowment at the University of Houston, or the Bobby Briggs Scholarship at Texas A&M for architectural students.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldendavisfuneralhome.com for the Jones family.