Robert Newton Jones, born May 3, 1937, in Clinton, Iowa, passed away January 19, 2024, at his home in Houston, Texas. He moved to Chicago at a very young age where he grew up, graduating from Fenger High School and attending Western Illinois University where he was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He joined the Navy in 1958 and was stationed in the Antarctica for part of his service. Bob began working for Texaco at the Chicago office in the marketing credit card division. He married his wife, Carole, in 1966 and in 1967 they were excited to be making a move to Houston, Texas where he had been transferred. There, life became busy raising two sons. Bob continued with Texaco for 32 years, retiring and several years later moving to Arizona.
Bob enjoyed playing golf, and so it seemed only natural that he would find employment at golf shops, starting in Houston, then Arizona and lastly in Georgetown, Texas. One of his favorite past times was belonging to the Bobby Jones Open Organization (you had to be a Robert, Bob or Bobby Jones to belong) where he also served on the board for many years. Needing a nickname to distinguish each Bob, he chose “Sky Chief” signifying his link to Texaco. He also sang for a number of years with the Houston Barbershop Chorus, enjoying singing, friendship and chorus competitions. Bob and Carole moved to Georgetown, Texas in 2012, living there until 2023 when they moved back to Houston to be closer to family and live in an independent living “community”.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie (Williams) Jones and J. N. Jones, Jr (Newt), and his brother Colby D. Jones.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carole, sons Scott (wife Victoria) and Michael (wife Sherry), grandchildren Addison Brookes (Jones) Pense, Brayden Jones, Kayla and Ethan Pearl. Sister-in-law Charmaine Jones, brothers-in-law Craig and Richard (Julie) Humphreys, as well as nephews Colby (Kristen) Jones and David (Sarah) Humphreys and their children.
There will be a Celebration of Life at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 1 pm. Burial will be in Omaha, Nebraska.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center or Canine Companions.
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