Sam Jones

Sam Jones passed away in Houston, Texas, after a year-long battle with cancer. Sam was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, on August 6, 1945, the son of Dr. Sam and Lilly Mae Jones. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 1 in Hutchinson where he earned the Eagle Scout and God and Country awards and served on staff at Camp Pawnee. Sams scouting experience and his adherence to its oath and law would serve him well on his journey through life. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1963 where he lettered in football and basketball, was a member of Key Club, student council and was elected student body vice president his senior year.

After high school Sam served in the Navy for six years where he was a corpsman for the marines in Vietnam. He served as an Operating Room tech and flew as a medic on medevac helicopters. His heroic service in Nam earned him a Purple Heart and the Navy Cross. He married Candy Conger, of Hutchinson, Kansas after the service and enrolled at Washburn University where he graduated with a bachelors degree in political science. From there it was off to the University of New Mexico Albuquerque where Sam received his masters degree in political science. He then returned to Kansas and entered a doctoral program in political science at the University of Kansas.

Sam started a career in radio which took him to Springfield, Missouri, before coming back to Hutchinson to join his father-in-law at KWBW Radio. While in Hutchinson Sam was active as his daughters soccer coach and worked with many civic organizations such as the NJCAA Basketball Tournament. When KWBW was sold, Sams enthusiastic attitude and aptitude for change served him well as he worked in Pennsylvania and then radio stations in Great Bend, Kansas, and KEAN radio in Abilene, Texas. In Abilene he also worked in sales for the National Federation of Independent Business. It was during this time that Sam met his second wife and the love of his life, Fredda Gail. They married August 20, 1999, and later moved to Houston, Texas, where Sam earned a teaching degree and taught history at Hastings High School, an inner city school, where he worked until February 2009. Sam was a person of great character and attracted strong friendships wherever he went. His courteous manner and generous nature always served him well; there were no strangers for him.

So for this scout the time has come for his final vespers to be sung. Softly his earthly light did fall, his campfire faded to the Masters call. For him we answer, Yes, when asked, He faithfully did his daily task. His honor he kept always bright and hell rest well on this long flight to the Masters side where angels for him will attest with a most resounding, Yes, that in his final trials and pain, Sam did and dared all he could to be prepared and, knowing well of his own going, prepared that loved ones left behind would be cared for in their time.

Sam is survived by his wife of ten years Fredda Gail Jones of Houston, Texas, his 3 daughters and a stepdaughter and son-in-laws: Heather Jones and Michael Lee of Arlington, VA; Katherine and Robert Paulson of Charleston, WV; Maggi and Brad Schoonover of Lenexa, KS; Adrienne and Matt Sicinski of Houston, TX; and grandchildren Caroline Lee, Isabelle Paulson, Elliott Schoonover and Reese Sicinski. His brother and family John and Lyn Jones of Overland Park, Kansas, and their children Rachel, Sarah and Hannah and his sister Susan Jones Colby of Lafayette, Indiana, and her three sons Ben, Chris and John Barnett also survive. Sam also leaves behind many close friends from Hutchinson, Abilene and Houston.
PServices celebrating Sams life will be held at Elmwood Funeral Home at 5750 U.S. Highway 227, st1:place

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
5:00 to 7:00 PM

Service

Chapel Service

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Thursday, September 10, 2009
12 NOON

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606

Memorial Contributions

http://www.epartnersingiving.com/samjones
PO Box 22718
Oklahoma City, OK  73123


http://www.epartnersingiving.com/samjones
1905 Holcombe Blvd
Houston, TX  77030