Jerry E. Jones

Jerry Eugene Jones of Houston, Texas passed away Thursday evening April 16, 2015 at West Houston Medical Center surrounded by his daughters, their mother and his dear cousin and wife. He was preceded in death by his parents and his grandparents. Survivors include his two daughters Becky Tully and husband Brian of Camillus, New York and Jenny Cerelli and husband Jason of Spring, Texas; four grandchildren Laura and Joseph Tully and Alyssa and Avery Cerelli; two sisters Judy Denton and Casey Berg of Seymour, Tennessee; as well as many nieces, nephews, other dear relatives and friends.

Jerry was born October 31, 1944 to James Edward Jones and Georgette Sunday Jones in Sugarland, Texas. In 1950 he and his family moved to Ranger, Texas then on to Aransas Pass, Texas where he graduated from High School in 1963. Shortly thereafter in 1964 Jerry joined the United States Air Force where he specialized in jet engine mechanics. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War. During his military career, he earned several medals including National Defense Service Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Award, Vietnam Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. Sergeant Jerry Eugene Jones was honorably discharged in 1970.

The following twenty years were quite the ride for Jerry. He married Dorothy Gold in 1970 and had two loving daughters; Becky and Jenny. Although Jerry and Dorothy divorced in 1980, their friendship, love and devotion to their daughters remained for his lifetime.

Jerry was a successful businessman working for several oil companies before starting his own company American Pipe Threading in 1979. With the decline of the oil industry and recession in the 1980s, Jerry was forced to close a business that brought him tremendous prosperity. Thereafter, his entrepreneurship and culinary skills coupled with his outgoing spirit and love of people inspired him to go into the restaurant business. He owned and operated a restaurant/bar/bowling alley in Houston and later a BBQ takeout restaurant as well as a bar known as The Frontier Palace in Aransas Pass. As the recession improved, he ultimately went back to work in the oil industry where his drive had him quickly climbing the ladder of success again at Schlumberger.

In 1990 Jerry had a debilitating stroke but it didn’t stop his will and determination to live and succeed. Although he could no longer speak and was partially paralyzed, he went on to rehabilitate and live independently for more than a decade still enjoying his love of dice, cards, bird hunting and fishing. Every chance he had, a fishing pole was in his hand for as long as his body allowed. As his health deteriorated, he was forced to live with 24 hour care for several years to come. His strong will kept him fighting for his independence regardless of the rules.

Jerry Jones was a force to be reckoned with continually pushing all limits and boundaries. Through all his trials and tribulation, he persevered. He worked hard, played hard, and loved hard. He would give anyone the shirt off his back, and his strength, determination, and passion will always be remembered.

It was Jerry’s wish to be cremated. A memorial service will be held for him Saturday April 25, 2015 at 1:30pm at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home. A reception will immediately follow at The Concierge at 2310 S. Eldridge Parkway. In fulfilling his wishes, Jerry will have a military burial of his ashes next to his mom and dad in Prairie View Cemetery in Aransas Pass at a later date with a final farewell at Red Fish Bay.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations can be sent to the following:

Wheelers for the Wounded 147 Wood Manor Sour Lake, TX 77659