 West Hill Cemetery Sherman, Texas
 Sherman - God called one of his favorite sons home on August 9, 2008. George Edward Jones, 77, went peacefully and eagerly to his Heavenly Home. He was born on March 3, 1931 to John Henry Jones and Edna Marie Jamieson Jones on a farm near Leonard, Fannin County, Texas. He grew up in and around Leonard, attended and graduated school there. His father being a sharecropper, George learned all about hard work and farm life at an early age. He was picking cotton in his pre-school years. After graduation, only 17 years old, he enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served his country for 5 years. After seeing combat all over the world and being leader of an underwater demolition team (diffusing bombs, mines, barbed wire, and other hazardous traps to allow the ships on the beach heads), he was sent to Korea. This young farm boy saw many places he had never dreamed existed. He talked little of the war but never forgot his comrades who were by his side that never made it back alive. He and some of the others kept in touch. When he returned from Korea, he decided to make something of his life and help others along the way. He attended Texas A&M and earned his BA, BS, Masters Degree and a Certificate for Administration and Professional Services for life. He graduated with honors. He began his teaching career in Crane, Texas in 1957, went from there to Grand Prairie to teach and was superintendant in Waco, Texas. Lacking 3 years for 30 years service, he spent them at Melissa, Texas as principal of the Elementary and the High School. He retired from the school systems in 1989. That same year he applied for a job at Westwood Shopping Center to keep the parking lot clean. Mr. Archer didn't want to hire him with his qualifications, but George with his winning ways and blarney, convinced Mr. Archer that he needed the exercise. So he was hired. Upon Mr. Archer's death, George became the General Manager of the shopping center and served in this capacity for 9 years, then entered full retirement. In 1980, upon his return from New York, working at Bearcat #2 near the football field, George met the woman he had been looking for all his life. He was heard to say, "This woman is the love of my life-my soul mate!" On February 1, 1981, he and Shirley Carr Norman were married by the Rev. Les Pendergrass in the First Baptist Church of Durant, Oklahoma. They had a wonderful 27+ years of a loving, Christian marriage, with God always coming first. That's why they were each the love of the other's life, and soul mates forever. George had a gruff voice and he always spoke his thoughts. On the inside, he had a heart of gold and an unbelievable capacity for love. He had a gift of gab and never met a stranger. This with his winning personality and ever-present smile was why everyone seemed to love him. George's faith in God sustained him through his life. On the battlefield, later on in life, and the last years of his life when he was so sick for so long. He accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and was reared a Baptist. When he was younger, he was quiet a leader in church and was a Sunday School teacher. He is a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. His illness prevented him from attending church for several years. That did not keep us from having church at home. He was truly a devout Christian. He was also a 50+ year Mason and a Shriner. Also an avid reader of poetry, history, autobiographies and his favorite book of all time - the Bible! Left to mourn his loss are his ever loving wife, Shirley, of the home; cherished daughter, Frances Lyn Jones Allen and husband Jon of Geneva, New York; two loving sons, James Norman and wife Kim of Rowlett, Texas and Bill Norman and wife Shelley of Greensboro, North Carolina; loving sister, Emma Fowler and husband Mal of Canton, Texas; niece, LaDell Pierce and husband Kevin and their 2 children, Blair and Jonathan Pierce of Canton, Texas; 3 grandchildren, Lesley Norman, Andrew Norman of Greensboro, North Carolina; and Carol Norman of Bedford, Texas; one aunt, Emma Fennell and husband Dan of Sherman; numerous cousins, brother-in-law, Bill Carr and wife Joyce of Whitesboro. Those preceding him in death were his parents; brother J.C. Jones and his son Mike of Temple Hills, Maryland; brother-in-law, Norman Butts; many aunts and uncles; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Frank and Edna Carr; and sister-in-law, Mary Carr. George leaves behind a legacy of wit, humor, bottomless pit of knowledge, sound advice, his ?straight line?, and his unconditional love. Services were held at 2:00 pm Monday, August 11 at Waldo Funeral Home with Rev. James Crawford officiating. Burial with military honors followed at West Hill Cemetery with pallbearers being past and present tenants from West Wood Village, General Mgr, Ron Fielder; Ex-banker, Clayton Fulton; Billy Ray Martin; Scott Konkle; Larry Kemp; Dennis Nichols; and Roger Baiz. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made the Shriners. West Hill Cemetery Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |
