Russell Oliver Jones, Jr.

My mother, Geraldine (Jeri) Haas, went to school with Russell and became friends with him later in life. He actually rented a bedroom in her home and they spent lots of time together until my Mother started getting dementia. I was very sorry to discover your family’s loss while looking for my aunt’s information. My sister, Gail Keeling, and I were very sorry to hear this as we have wondered occasionally how he was doing. May God bless his family with lots of good memories and laughter when you think of your Dad. Betty Beall

Russell was an avid bowler and loved that sport like no other. He talked about his team and his games and the competition. He bowled in the league all the way up to age 93 when Covid shut down everything in 2020.

Like Branches on a Tree...We all grow in Different Directions. But Our Roots Remain The Same.

This is a long post, but Dad lived a longgg time. My name is Larry and I want to share a memory or two... Russell (my loving father) attended the Cherokee Elementary school in Turley of North Tulsa in the 1930's and graduated from Tulsa Central High School. He then joined the United States Army Air Force when he turned 18 in 1944. While training as a mechanic on P51 Mustang fighter planes for the invasion of Japan, Japan surrendered in 1945 and WW2 was over. He had three children, Janie, Larry, and Gary. He farmed for many years including 5 miles west of Sperry, OK. He retired from American Airlines as an passenger aircraft hydraulics mechanic. He then enjoyed keeping busy including gardening, fishing, and flying remote-controlled gas-powered planes. He was my BEST Friend and MY HERO. I have stories that reveal his love for his family and friends. We had plans to go to Kansas on Spring Break. He will be there with me. His loving family and wonderful friends were the highlight of each and every day. I know because he told me several times each week. He is with all of us that he touched, and he will never be gone. I have attached a few of the pictures of him as he went through life. 1938, Russell, Eleanor, Kenneth. Russell was 12 and looks like a pilot already. 1942 Tulsa Central High School picture. 1944, Giving brother Kenneth a hug before heading off to the US Army Air Force. 1995, He loved his planes. 1997, He also had a green thumb, he could grow anything. 2019, Shaddox Cemetery in Arkansas visiting his Great Great grandfather and his Grandmother I have many, many stories...along with the Grizzly Bear "Photo" Expedition in Canada, this is one of my favorites. I Titled this story: "Don't Give Up" In years leading up to 2019. With help from my Dad's sister, Aunt Eleanor, and using Ancestry.com, I found actual census records dating back to one of our Great Grandfathers...William Jones. And his grave was nearby in Arkansas. So I planned another fun trip with my dad. On January 19, 2019, Dad and I went on a wild cemetery hunt in the Arkansas Ozarks looking for the Shaddox Cemetery. There were no signs of a cemetery anywhere, but we did see a herd of Elk in a beautiful valley pasture. I was almost ready to give up when Dad spotted a lightly used dirt road angling back into the woods. There were no gates, fences, or signs in the Ozark National Forest. So I backed up and put the truck into 4-Wheel Drive and told dad to "hang on". We bounced along a winding road crossing down into a creek and back up a steep hill...and suddenly there it was. A very beautiful well maintained 5 acre cemetery hidden from the outside world. We looked for a while and we finally found William's grave stone. It confirmed William was born on January 19, 1819...and today was his 200th birthday. Dad was very happy and we had fun wondering around (see picture) that beautiful cemetery taking lots of pictures. We also found other grave markers that were part of the family tree including one that he actually met, Josie Viola Massengale-Jones...his grandmother. Dad was 92, and I will never forget my last "Dad and Son" trip.

I believe Mr. Jones lived in the same building as my grandmother, Betty Jones. I spoke with my grandmother this morning who has been upset by his passing. My grandmother is blind, does not use a computer, and does not know how to get in touch with any of Mr. Jones' family. She wanted to tell you all what a pleasant man he was. She enjoyed conversing with him. She even said it was like a little joke to them for him to say "Good morning Mrs Jones, " and she would reply "Good morning Mr Jones." He would also bring her Sunday School material from his church to share with her. She prays that your family will be comforted by the Lord as you mourn his passing, I will be praying that as well.