Rufus Jones Jr.

Today we lay to rest our son, husband, father, brother, cousin, nephew, and dear friend. One who touched the lives of many, and who was dear to us all.  A man with a huge heart and was one who was thoroughly altruistic.

Rufus Jones Jr. was born February 27, 1962 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the eldest of two children. In his youth, he traveled to many places with his family, as his father, Rufus Jones Sr. was in the military. The places he lived in his youth brought him many wonderful and fond memories. Florida and Hawaii, just to name a few, were two places he relished in the memories and what a young Rufus would call adventures.

The family settled in El Paso, Texas where he attended Fannin Elementary, and graduated from Andress High School.

He joined the military in 1981 and served in the United States Army where he did a tour in Germany. He also attended Big Bend College.

In February of 1985, he left the armed services to return to Texas.  There he sought to regain a relationship with his longtime best friend and high school sweetheart. Later that year, he married Donna Holland.

Rufus later moved his family to the Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex. He built his life there with his family, and he had four children who meant everything to him.  Rufus worked for many years in wholesale parts and as a service advisor for a few dealerships in the DFW area. He was well known and sought after and achieved many awards for his work.

Rufus loved to volunteer and help in the community, and he did that as often as he could. His favorite pastimes were fishing and those who knew him well knew he loved being on the water. He loved hunting, coaching track, basketball, football, softball, baseball, he loved bowling, gardening, and dancing.

Rufus won many awards for his tournament fishing and for coaching in the DFW area.   

Everyone who knew him well knew he could grow anything, and he loved it with a passion. He grew vegetables, and he loved planting and growing flowers. Rufus was always giving vegetables from his garden to neighbors, family, and friends.

Rufus loved everyone, and he never met a stranger. He was a kind man and wore his heart on his sleeve but tried not to show it.  

In 2010, he dedicated his life to Christ and was baptized at Life Fellowship Church and he volunteered his time to help anyone in need. When he could help someone else, that gave him the most joy.  

Rufus leaves to celebrate his life: his mother, Henrietta Jones; his mother; Bessie Shavers, and a man so dear to his heart, Elijah Shavers; his sister, Lauren Robinson; wife, Donna Jones;  children, Patriche L Herrin, Jasmine Marie Jones, Nathen Edward Jones, and Tamara Cherise Jones; niece, Brittani Best; nephews, Antoine Shavers, Mike Shavers, Cory Hippie Robinson,  Allen Alvin Thornton; grandchildren, Aaron Reid Miller, Everett James Herrin, Alaya Faye Haggins; son in laws, Ray Haggins, Ellis Herrin III; great nieces, Alana Rose Thornton, Jade Michaela Wells, Layla Charles; brother in law, Blease Hollands II; sister in laws; Rosalyn Thornton, Cynthia Brown; and many many more aunts, great aunts, uncles, great uncles, cousins, great nieces, and great nephews, and dear close friends.  A large family whom he so loved.

Rufus, you are so loved and will remain in our hearts. It's not how many times we say "I love you" and how many times we hold each other that we should count, as it is never enough. We must remember that life is short. You are a profound reminder for us to cherish life and cherish what remains. Our love for you shall endure forever. 

A star on the Franklin Mountain in El Paso, Texas will be lit in honor of the life and memory of Rufus Jones Jr. on Saturday, March 20, 2021 by his spouse, Donna Jones.
 

There will be a Funeral Service held on Friday, March 26, 2021 at the Hurst Baptist Church, 737 Treadwell Drive, Hurst, Texas 76053. The Viewing Service will take place at 10:30 am - 11:30 am with the Funeral Service following from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm. There will be an interment following at 2:30 pm at the DFW National Cemetery.

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