Clemont R. Jones

Clemont R Jones was born on October 5, 1928, to Jacob Robinson Jones, Sr. and Minnie Belle (Underwood) Jones at home in Bay, Arkansas. He passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2025.

Clemont’s family lived on a farm during the depression. He was called “CR” by his family growing up but was called Clem when he moved to Texas. He had no middle name, only the initial R.

Clem graduated from McCormick High School near Trumann, Arkansas at age 16. He was the valedictorian in a class of 11. Upon graduation, he went to work at Singer Sewing Machine Company which had a large plant that made sewing machine cabinets. After two and a half years at Singer, Clem went to the Army recruiter who advised him to join the Air Force since his test scores were high and it would probably be better duty. Clem said it was some of the best advice he ever received.

In 1947, Clem went to Basic Training at Lackland in San Antonio. Following Basic Training, he was stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, where he attended aircraft machinist school. After eight months, Clem was sent to Japan. The Korean War broke out and he was assigned to repair and rebuild battle-damaged aircraft. He had many stories about his time in Japan.

After the Korean War ended, Clem was stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois. He lived in a nearby town, Paxton, where he met his future wife, Dorothy (Dottie) Johnson. They were soon married and spent the next sixty years together. They had three sons; Dana, Brian and Mark.

During Clem’s 21-year military career he and Dottie were stationed in Rantoul and Belleville, Illinois; Croughton, Syresham and Marlow, England; Navato, California; Tucson, Arizona; Berlin, Germany; and Webb Air Force Base in Big Spring. Clem retired as a Master Sergeant in 1969 at Webb.

He worked at Gamco Industries for 25 years doing electronic repair and assembly and later ran the shipping department.

Clem and Dottie were longtime members of First Baptist Church where Clem served as a Deacon for many years. He was also very involved in the church’s Boy Scout Troop 5. He received the Silver Beaver and the Good Shepherd Award and served as the district executive.

Clem was preceded in death by his wife Dottie of 60 years, his mother Minnie and his father Jacob as well as numerous brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his three sons; Dana Jones (Tammi) of Big Spring, Texas; Brian Jones of Pharr, Texas; Mark Jones of Denton, Texas; and three grandchildren: Stacy Thigpen (Robert) of Gainesville, Georgia; Kie Jones of Overland Park, Kansas and Emily Jones of Denver, Colorado. Also, a brother-in-law Stephen Johnson (Denise) of San Antonio; a sister-in-law Sandra Lehman (Rodney) of Berne, Indiana; and a sister-in-law Dorothy Jones of Ormond Beach, Florida.

The Jones family wishes to thank Marcy Place for their loving care, Home Hospice for their help during a difficult time and the many people who visited him every week during his stay at Marcy Place.

A graveside service will be held at The Peace Chapel at Trinity Memorial Park in Big Spring at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 12, 2025. The family will have a formal reception from 6pm until 8pm, Friday, July 11, 2025 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.

The family recommends donations to Mission Dignity, Guidestone at P.O. Box 819109, Dallas, Texas 75381-9957 in lieu of flowers.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory.  Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com

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