James Alfred Jones

Service: 1 p.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church, 301 South Center St., Arlington 76010, followed by an interment in Shannon Rose Hill Memorial Park. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Chapel.

Memorials: May be made to TCU Athletic Scholarship Fund, in care of Davis Babb, P.O. Box 297620, Fort Worth, Texas 76129.

Jim was born Jan. 26, 1924, in Cleburne to Rayble and Eva Jones. He graduated from Polytechnic High School in Fort Worth where he played football for Luther Scarborough. He served in the Navy during World War II until 1944. He graduated from TCU in 1948 where he played baseball and was a captain of the football team under Coach Dutch Meyer.

After he graduated from TCU, he and his wife, Mary Helen, were football season ticket holders for 57 years. He was a member of the TCU Ex-Lettermen's Association.

Jim married the love of his life, Mary Helen Phillips, in 1947. They were married for 64 wonderful years. They were longtime members of Polytechnic Baptist Church and East Meadows Baptist Church where he was a Sunday school teacher, a trustee and a dedicated deacon with 55 years of service. He was a master educator, serving in the Fort Worth Independent School District as an administrator for 42 years never once using a sick day. Once retired, he continued to serve the community through the Vital Link program and mentoring at Benbrook Elementary for over 10 years. He was master Mason of the Masonic Lodge for over 65 years.

His passions included teaching, fishing, ranching, gardening, his family, and his beloved Horned Frogs.

He was loved and admired by all who knew him.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Ray Eileen Stahala.

Survivors: Wife, Mary Helen Jones; brother, Rayble E. Jones Jr.; son, Phillip Ray Jones and wife, Linda; daughter, Judy Jones Gaither; four grandsons; and four great-grandchildren.

Arrangements under the direction of Shannon Rose Hill Funeral Chapel & Cemetery, Fort Worth, TX.