Henry Clay Jones

Henry Clay Jones (Sonny Boy) was born in Denham Springs, Louisiana on March 3, 1929. Henry passed away in The Woodlands, Texas, on Thursday, December 31, 2015, at the young age of 86. He is free of pain and we are all so grateful. He graduated from Live Oak High School in March of 1946. He was the youngest of five of the late William Benton Jones and Etta Mae Ott Jones. He is preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Maxine Lemley Jones; one brother, William Benton Jones Jr. (Dub); and three sisters, Bella Mae Jones Milton, Winnie Lee Jones Whitehead and Willie Dee Jones.

Henry went into the Army from 1946-1947. He was in the inactive Army reserves when they called him for the Korean War in 1950. He was stationed at Ft. Chafee in Ft. Smith, Arkansas, from 1950 to 1952 where he met Gladys Maxine Lemley, the Love of his Life, and they married on September 23, 1953, in Van Buren, Arkansas and made their home in Watson, Louisiana. They were members of the First United Methodist Church. They had been married for 60 ¾ years before Maxine’s passing on July 4, 2014. Henry is a blessing to all and we are all very grateful to have had him in our lives as he will always live in our hearts. He was a strong-willed man with very high family dedication and a loyal, supportive, caring, loving and great father! His mind was always thinking, and his memory was impeccable!! His life was his family!

He worked at Ethyl Corporation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, beginning June 11, 1947, at the age of 18 and was laid off on February 2, 1962 (14 years/4 months). He then moved to Lake Jackson, Texas, and went to work for Nalco Chemical Company in Freeport, Texas, on June 25, 1962. He retired from Nalco on October 1, 1985 (23 years/3 months). He lived most of his life in Lake Jackson in the same home until a month ago when he moved to The Woodlands, Texas. He grew up fishing off the Amite River and hunting with his dogs, especially “Pal.” He loved to share his stories with great detail that were amazing.

Henry is survived by his 3 children, Sandra Rae Jones Benke (Dale); Melody Ann Jones Martin (Teddy); and Benton Clay Jones (Gloria).

Henry is further survived by his 6 grandchildren, Rachel Dale Benke Harrell (Ryan); Russell Ray Benke (Kristen); Justin Clay Martin (Angela); Lori Ann Martin Boring (Jeremiah); Matthew Clay Jones (Bri); Regina Moreno Van Avery (Ben).

Henry is also survived by 12 great-grand-children; twins-Hailey Ryan & Hannah Rae Harrell; twins-Ethan Dean & Emma Dale Harrell; twins-Kyle Wesley & Bradley Russell Benke; Kaele Ann Martin; Jereth Wayne Boring, Jalynn Faye Boring; Zane Van Avery; Caden Reed Van Avery and Evan Clay Jones.

Henry was also blessed by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at Restwood Funeral Home at 1 pm on Friday, January 8, 2016. Henry will be laid to rest immediately following the funeral services in Restwood Memorial Park.

Services will be officiated by Bryan Ott; providing vocal and guitar is Seth Ott, playing piano is Ann Lee, and serving as pallbearers will be Justin Martin, Russell Benke, Mathew Jones, Ryan Harrell, Jeremiah Boring, and Ben Van Avery.

The Love of a Family is Life’s Greatest Blessings!