James E. Jones

Lt. Col. James E. Jones, 88, of Hot Springs, passed away Tuesday, June 20, 2017 after a lengthy illness and a full life. He was escorted into the arms of Jesus by Illa, his wife of 62 years, whom he has mourned for almost three years. A member of a large Clark County family, James was the eldest of six children born to Jimmy and Gertrude (Todd) Jones. His siblings are Margie Shepherd, Auburn, Ala.; Kitty Slatton, Hot Springs, Ark.; J.D. Jones, Chester, Va.; Billie Croft, Jonesboro, La.; and Doug Jones, Bluffton, S.C. James had accepted Christ and was a charter member of Third Street Baptist Church in Arkadelphia. He was a 1947 graduate of Arkadelphia High School, and also a graduate of Henderson State University. He was a soldier and an educator, serving in the US Army, 1st Cavalry in Northern Japan, and was a commander of the reserve unit at El Dorado. James was also a teacher, basketball coach, and administrator in the Arkansas Public Schools, retiring as superintendent of Union School District in Union County. James enjoyed retirement at Bismarck, gardening, fishing, serving in the Bismarck Volunteer Fire Dept., and just being with his sweetie Illa. He was fun and had a playful spirit all his life, developing friendships wherever he lived. Many respected his opinions, and he was a rock of support to the family he loved dearly. Survivors include his siblings; children, Jim (Wendy) Jones of Hot Springs, Diane (Greg) Bell of Jackson, Tenn., Davy Jones of Hot Springs, Mary Beth (Eric) Smith of Bossier City, La., and Chris Jones of Russellville; 10 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many loving nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday with the service beginning at 2 p.m. at Twin Lakes Baptist Church, 3899 Hwy. 290, Hot Springs. Burial will follow at Gilchrist Cemetery in Friendship, Arkansas. All who knew and loved James are welcome. Online condolences at www.caruth-hale.com.