Jack Donald Jones

Obituary Jack Donald Jones, lifelong Terlton resident, passed away Thursday, October 15, 2009 at the Cleveland Area Hospital at the age of seventy-eight. Jack was born on February 20, 1931 in Terlton, Oklahoma. He was the son of William Alva and Jane (Price) Jones. Jack was raised and attended school in Terlton, graduating from Terlton High School in 1949. While attending high school, Jack was an varsity member of the basketball team. Shortly after graduation, Jack accepted employment with the Oklahoma News delivering magazines throughout the area. During the years following his graduation, Jack remained active in athletics participating on town basketball teams and was also a fast pitch softball pitcher for the Memorial Baptist Church softball team. In 1952, Jack was inducted into the service of his country in the United States Army. He served for nearly two years at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas in the area of office administration. Upon his honorable discharge in 1954, Jack returned to the Terlton area. While attending Terlton High School, Jack met the love of his life, Betty Harris. After his return from active duty in the United States Army, Jack and Betty were united in marriage on October 16, 1954 at the Assembly of God parsonage in Jennings, Oklahoma. The couple made their initial home in Tulsa as Jack returned to work at Oklahoma News after serving his country and later moved to Terlton in 1958. Jack continued to work for Oklahoma News as Magazine Supervisor and later for ARA before retiring in 1986. To say that Jack enjoyed the outdoors would be an understatement; he loved any type of fishing and hunting including deer, rabbit and squirrel. For many years he and a close friend, Melvin Shenold would travel to Kansas in the winter to wolf hunt. He did not hunt for sport as everything he shot would be skinned and brought home to be prepared for the dinner table. He was an excellent fisherman and for many years caught most of his catfish noodling. Jack was described by his family and friends as a considerate and quiet man that enjoyed teasing those he loved and could often be a bit ornery. Although Betty and Jack had no children of their own, nieces and nephews and all the children in the Terlton area were considered as theirs. Jack enjoyed vegetable gardening and through the years has provided many throughout the Terlton and surrounding area with fresh vegetables. He was never separated from his faithful sidekick, Pumpkin who went everywhere with him including on the three wheeler and tractor. Another favorite hobby of Jacks was hunting for Morel mushroom; he would take his nieces and nephews across the creeks and fields looking for them. Jack was always ready to help anyone in need. He assisted for years at the Senior Center in Terlton. He could often be found calling table numbers for door prizes at the weekly dances at the Center. He enjoyed working with wood and made many cedar chests and picture frames giving them away to family and friends. He also liked Indian beadwork by making key chains, belts and hat bands. He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Betty of the home; a brother, Jimmie A. Jones of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a sister, Frances L. Showalter of Andover, Kansas; and numerous nieces and nephews . He was preceded in death by parents, William Alva and Jane Jones and a sister, Mary Ellyn Shaver.