James Sheldon Jones Sr.

James was born on February 24, 1947 in Borger, Texas to Frank Verlin Jones Jr. and Lenora Peebles Jones. James attended school in Pasadena, Texas where he went to Richey Street Elementary, San Jacinto Jr High and graduated from Sam Rayburn High School in 1967.

He received a certification in auto mechanics from Central Texas College in Killeen, Texas in 1973. After high school graduation, he enlisted in the Army where he stated he served for six years one month and three days. He was in the Army from 1967-1973. He served two years in Viet Nam as an acting sergeant. James trained in the Army to operate many heavy equipment machines. In civilian life, he worked in construction as a heavy equipment operator. James was proud of his service and an outspoken patriot who loved his country.

He had to go on disability retirement after many years of working with a misdiagnosed foot injury sustained during his service in Viet Nam. James’s ability to walk deteriorated over his lifetime due to this. His last 15 years were spent in a power chair. After retirement, he continued to be involved in his church services and family life in Pasadena, Texas.

He was married to Dinah Pearson Jones for 44 years and previously to Reba Gael Denner for approximately six years with whom he had two children.

He was a member of San Jacinto Baptist Church for about 12 years and Monument Baptist Church formerly known as Thomas Avenue Baptist, for approximately 34-36 years. James was a dedicated Christian and he often stated, as he was fighting the Glioblastoma tumor in his brain, “that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” James’s faith in Jesus was always strong. He loved singing Christian songs with his deep bass voice.

He was a lifelong collector of model trains. His collection is mind-boggling. He also collected firearms, knives, and various other collectibles. James was preceded in death by his parents, Frank V. Jones, Jr. and Lenora Peebles Jones; and his son-in-law, Robert Polley. He is survived by his wife, Dinah Pearson Jones, his sons, James Sheldon Jones, Jr., John David Clark, Andrew James Clark and his wife Spring; his daughters, Melanie Jones Polley, and Amy Clark Dunlap; his brother, Frank V. Jones, III and his wife Keren; his sister, Irene Jones Lasnau and her husband JR; nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. The family will receive friends on Friday, August 7, 2020 from 5-8 PM at Pasadena Funeral Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will be on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 11:00 AM in the Chapel of Pasadena Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Grand View Cemetery.