Byford A. Jones Jr.

Byford A. Jones, 88, born July 22, 1924, in Houston, TX to Lillie Mae (Johnson) and Byford A. Jones, Sr., died in a Houston hospital on May 16, 2013. He attended school in Houston, graduating from Chas. H. Milby High School and attended the University of Texas at Austin. He was of the Methodist faith.

He spent his entire career in the energy field, working for Schlumberger Well Surveys, Lane-Wells Co. and Dresser Atlas Co. In 1972, along with Jack H. Mayfield, he formed Paladin Corporation to develop and produce oil and gas leases. In 1979, Byford founded his own company, Union Production Corporation. He met and made many friends in the energy industry and never forgot any of them. His hobbies were hunting, fishing, golfing and collecting western art.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marcia Jones; daughter, Beverly Ann Neely and her husband, Mason of Fulshear, TX; son, Bobby Lee Jones and his wife, Shelley of Missouri City, TX; four grandchildren: Laura Neely Ross and husband, Mark of Fulshear, TX, Dale Neely and wife, Kimberly of Fairfield, CT, Lizabeth Jones Thompson and husband, Paul of Richardson, TX and Ryan Jones and his wife, Beth of Pearland, TX; great-grandchildren, Meredith Ross, Haley, Catherine and Mason Neely, Kimberly and Mia Thompson and Rylee Jones; brothers-in-law, James O’Brien of Tucson, AZ and Jack Warner and wife, Jean of Pollok, TX; nieces, Jimmie Gail Marsh and husband, Bob of Seabrook, TX, Genenne Sexton and husband, Rick of Tucson, AZ. All of Marcia’s nieces and nephews were Byford’s also. Shirley Harris and Johnny Mack of Brashear, TX held a special place in his heart.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Athal and Lillie Mae Jones and sister, Ruth O’Brien.

Pallbearers will be James McCarty, Michael Brooks, Jim Brooks, Dale Neely, Ryan Jones, Paul Thompson, Mark Ross and Neal Warner.

Honorary pallbearers will be John Ralph Pouland, Don Martin, Strauss Sunday School Class, Bill Wiggins, Jack Mayfield, Orville Gaither and Richard O’Donnell and the Houston Petroleum Group.

Visitation will be held at Gipson Funeral Home, 1515 S. Chestnut, Lufkin, TX on Saturday, May 18, 2013 beginning at 2:00 p.m., followed by the service at 4:00 p.m. Interment will follow in Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Condolences may be offered at www.gipsonfuneralhome.com

Services have been placed in the trust of Gipson Funeral Home.