Marilyn Eitzen Jones

Marilyn Eitzen Jones passed away on May 28, 2024, due to recent illness. Born on Sep 16, 1931,

Marilyn enjoyed a wonderful childhood growing up in Ponca City, Oklahoma. After high school graduation, she attended Kansas Art Institute on a 2-year scholarship, followed by achieving a BA in Fine Arts from Oklahoma University.

Post Graduation, Marilyn worked that summer at the YMCA of the Rockies (Estes Pk, CO). While at the camp, a friend invited her to spend the remainder of the summer with her and her family in Dallas. Marilyn decided to call Dallas home. She applied to American Airlines became a flight attendant, acquired a job at Jamieson Film Company Studio, and painted in her spare time.

While single, Marilyn attended Highland Park Methodist. Through the church’s single’s group, she met Ted Jones, her future husband from Highland Park Presbyterian. After a 5 year courtship, they married on June 20, 1959.

The next year, Marilyn and Ted welcomed their first child, Tami. Just short of two years later, Scott was born. With two young kids, Marilyn began teaching painting classes out of the home studio in Farmers Branch. Following a move to Dallas, Marilyn continued to teach painting to adults throughout the year and to children during their summer breaks. When Marilyn wasn’t teaching, she was honing her art skills in classes, entering juried art shows, and participated as a member of the Texas Fine Arts Association, Texas Visual Arts Association, Southwestern Watercolor Society, and SIGGRAPH.

With her kids in college and determined to enhance her education, Marilyn attended University of North Texas and obtained a Masters of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis on digital graphics in 1986. She continued her commitment to producing artwork for many more years thereafter, while incorporating computerized media into much of her work. In her final years, Marilyn enjoyed establishing ArtReach (a Visual Arts ministry under the LLUMC Foundation), traveling, writing, and visiting with family and lifelong friends.

Marilyn is survived by her brother, Ron Eitzen, her sister-in-law, Pat, her daughter, Tami, her son, Scott, her daughter-in-law, Trish, and her four grandchildren, Brandon, Emily, Ryan, and Victoria. A memorial service will be held at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church on June 15 at 3:00 pm in Shipp Chapel, followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her honor to ArtReach, Lovers Lane United Methodist Church, 9200 Inwood Rd, Dallas, TX 75220.