James Edward Jones

James Edward Jones (Jim), 83, was born in Columbus, Ohio on October 12, 1939, to Eddie Lee and Margaret Jones and went to heaven on April 18, 2023, after a long fight with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Jim joined the Air Force in 1959 and served 21 years supplying parts for military planes. While in the Air Force, he was chosen to be a race relations instructor by training the troops about diversity in the military, what is acceptable, and what is offensive. Jim met the love of his life, Dorothy Heath, at a football game, and five years later after getting written permission from his Captain to leave Torrejón Air Force Base (AFB), Madrid, Spain, they were married on January 14, 1962, in Columbus, Ohio. While stationed in Madrid, their first two children, Tawnya and James were born. During his 21 years of service, he was stationed at Air Force Bases in Abilene, Texas, Da Nang, Vietnam (a French Air Force Base), Columbus, Ohio, (daughter Terri was born in Columbus), Denver, Colorado, The Netherlands, (Holland), (twins - Kenyan and Kevin were born in Holland), Kunsan, Korea, and Wichita, Kansas. Jim retired as a master sergeant after 21 years of service and moved back to Salina, Kansas.
In Salina, Jim started another career working as a counselor at St. Francis Boys Home which he thoroughly enjoyed while completing his Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies through Friends University.
Jim was a great cook who loved to eat, laugh, go fishing, and spend time with his family. No one was a stranger to him he spoke to everyone, normally saying something that would make them laugh. He said that there’s so much negative in the world he wanted to make people smile, especially grocery store checkers. Jim loved couponing and sweepstakes, and one year he won a truck.
Upon Jim’s failing health, they moved to the Kansas City area to be closer to their children. In 2020 they moved to North Richland Hills, Texas.
Jim is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy, adult children, Tawnya of Lancaster, TX, James (Tisa) of Magnolia, TX, Terri of North Richland Hills, TX, Kenyan (Carrie) of Spring, TX, Kevin (Crystal) of Kansas City, KS, his grandchildren, Morgan, Brittalia, Gabrielle, Shawn, Marcus, Tahje’, Lindsey, twins Aisha and Alisha, Justin, Jordyn, 9 great-grandchildren, his brother, Bill (Marla), of Columbus, OH, and Uncle Howard Foster of Columbus, OH. Jim is preceded in death by his parents and brother Henry Jones.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that charitable donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, act.alz.org.