Randall J. Jones Jr.

Randall J. “Randy” Jones Jr., 83, of Oklahoma City, passed away on September 11, 2024. Born on April 12, 1941, in Montgomery, Alabama, Randy moved to Stillwater in 1951 and graduated from Stillwater High School in 1958. He earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Oklahoma State University and went on to complete his PhD at the University of Texas at Austin.

Randy dedicated his professional life to academia, serving as a faculty member in the Department of Political Science at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) for his entire career. A respected scholar, he was particularly known for his work in election forecasting. After retiring, he was an active member of the Emeritus Faculty Association at UCO.

In July 1988, Randy married the love of his life, Shirley E. Dearborn at St. Luke’s Methodist Church in OKC, where they met and were members until their passing.

As both were avid supporters of the arts, Randy and Shirley enjoyed attending Oklahoma City Symphony concerts and visiting art museums across the country. On their frequent trips to Maine, Shirley’s home state, they made lasting memories together. In his free time, Randy loved to relax and play jazz piano.

Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley, and parents, Johnnie Lou (Williamson) and Randall Jeffries Jones. Randy is survived by his sister, Delaine Jones Bagwell of Thornton, CO; nephew David Bagwell of Westminster, CO; and great-niece Ella Bagwell of Westminster, CO. He will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery, next to his beloved wife. No services to be held.

Donations may be made to centralconnection.org/jones Randy's warmth, intellect, and passion for life will be deeply missed by all who knew him.