Reuben R Jones

Reuben R. Jones, age 85, passed away Friday, May 27, 2011 at a local nursing center. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 31st in the Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 542 Hickory, with Pastor Clyde Kieschnick officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Monday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Reuben was born August 4, 1925 on a ranch near Fluvanna in Scurry County, Texas, the sixth of eight children born to Roy R. and Mabel (Gibson) Jones.

At an early age he moved with his family to Snyder, Texas, where he grew up and attended school. He enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II and served as a gunner's mate on the aircraft carrier, USS Rudyard Bay. As part of the Pacific Fleet, his ship took part in five major battles and was underway to attack the island of Japan when the war ended. After his discharge from the armed services, Reuben moved to Abilene, Texas where he attended business college and eventually took a job with Lone Star Gas Co. He held this job for over 40 years, retiring in 1992. Reuben was married to Jean Dunn on February 12, 1978 in Abilene.

Reuben's hobbies included raising and showing parakeets and gardening. He was a member of the Big Country Master Gardener's Association, participated in pecan shows throughout the area, both entering and judging, and volunteered for the Rehab Telethon. He also volunteered at the West Texas State Fair in various capacities for many years. He was an active member of Crescent Heights Baptist Church for over 50 years.

Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Jean; daughter, Jan Jones and husband Richard Monroe of Irving; son, Bill Jones of Forney; stepdaughters, Paula VanBiervliet and husband Alan of Little Rock, AR and Jana Santibanez and husband Robert of Abilene; grandchildren, Marisol and Taylor VanBiervliet, Emilio and Ryan Santibanez; two sisters, Darlene Leach of Burleson and Doris Gates and husband Doug of Sweetwater; Reuben's former wife, Sarah Jones; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Walter Calvin Jones, a stepson, Randy Dunn, his parents, one brother, Roy W. "Bud" Jones, and four sisters, Margaret Louise Pagan, Nina Mae Hunter, Muriel Maxyne Kelch, and Annie Ruby Cooper.

Serving as pallbearers are Dick Kinney, Jack Petty, Alan Leach, Fred Ptacek, Steve Gates, and Taylor VanBiervliet.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605; Meals-on-Wheels Plus, Inc., P. O. Box 903, Abilene, TX 79604, or your favorite charity.

The family wishes to express gratitude to Dr. Heaven, Dr. Al-Sayyad, Dr. Striegler, Coronado Nursing Home and Hospice of the Big Country.

You may view and sign guestbook at www.elliotthamilfuneralhome.com.