Thomas Patrick Jones

Thomas Patrick Jones, a Vietnam veteran and longtime resident of Keller, passed away on 19 January 2026 in his sleep at home with his family. Tom was born 16 June 1937 to James and Catherine (Connolly) Jones and attended Saint Ann’s Academy where he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps reserves then joined the U.S. Air Force.

He was assigned to the Security Police, the combat arm of the U.S. Air Force, where he spent nearly his entire 28-year career. He retired with the highest enlisted rank, E9 Chief Master Sergeant.

The majority of Tom’s service included providing security for the nation’s highest priority assets, both on alert and in storage. He spent more than 16 years on overseas duty, with three tours in Vietnam and tours in England, Morocco, France and Taiwan. His assignments included protecting the President, Vice President and Secretary of State, including George Bush, Gerald Ford and Henry Kissinger. Tom’s most memorable assignment was guarding Bob Hope in his dressing room in Vietnam during one of Mr. Hope’s Holiday shows for the troops.

The U.S. Air Force recognized Tom for his honorable service with two Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Awards, six Air Medals and the Gallantry Cross with Palm. When asked about his service he always said he was no hero, the heroes never came home. But he was our hero.

Tom joined Alcon Laboratories in 1984 upon retiring from the Air Force as their first security professional. He established the first security protocols, a security control center, and automated security for all Alcon facilities. He oversaw day to day operational security, event security, and participated in crisis management and safety programs. He retired from Alcon after 18 years.

During his second retirement Tom was active in the Roman Catholic Church where he served as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and completed the fourth degree with the Knights of Columbus. He also volunteered his time generously with several other organizations such as the Community Store House in Keller where he helped feed those that needed help. In everything Tom did he put family first, then church, then country.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah (Donnelly) Jones whom he married in 1970 in New York City. He is survived by his brother Dennis and sister Kathleen, his children Ian, Ann and Scott and grandchildren Kevin, Kyle and Christopher as well as great grandson Kade.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, at Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church at 2016 Willis Lane Keller, TX US 76248.

The committal service with full military honors will be held at 12pm on Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026 directly after the funeral mass at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park 5725 Colleyville Blvd. Colleyville, Tx 76034.

The family will hold a reception, and anyone is welcome, at 12:30pm after the committal service at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park.

A visitation for Tom will be held Monday, February 2nd, 2026, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home & Memorial Park 5725 Colleyville Blvd. Colleyville, Tx 76034.

To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit our website at BluebonnetHills.com.