Hershel Ray Jones, Sr. Obituary

Hershel Ray Jones, Sr., 77-year-old Gainesville resident, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023, at the Medical City Denton Hospital in Denton. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023, in the Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home Chapel with Tim Scott officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Burneyville Cemetery, Burneyville, OK. Services have been entrusted to the Flanagan-Watts Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Marietta, OK.

Hershel Ray Jones began this life on June 19, 1945, in Thackerville, OK the son of Bonnie and Cleta (Carlile) Jones. He grew up and attended schools in Thackerville. After graduation, Hershel enlisted in the United States Air Force on Sept. 3, 1965. He served his country for more than three years obtaining the rank of Sergeant. After his honorable discharge, Hershel continued the long family tradition of working on the pipeline. He loved working on the pipeline and over the years obtained valuable knowledge and skills that allowed him to serve as a guide and mentor to many of the younger generation of pipeliners.

Hershel married Pamela Alice Westmoreland on Dec. 31, 1970. The two enjoyed 52 years together until she passed away in June of 2022. Hershel loved to work, but he always found time to watch the Dallas Cowboys play. Though many would not know him as much of a talker, Hershel took every chance he had to visit with his family and friends.

Hershel was preceded in death by his parents; by his wife; by a daughter, Melanie Jones; and by a brother, "Bud" Jones. Those left to cherish his memory are his two sons, Michael Jones and his wife Elisabeth of Watford City, ND and Hershell Jones, Jr. of Frisco, TX; two grandsons, Nathan Jones and Aaron Jones; and a sister, Carylon Swindle of Woodward, OK.

Casket bearers are Nathan Jones, Aaron Jones, Jonathan Hammett, Hershell "Hershey" Jones, Mike White, and Rocky Carlile.

Online condolences: www.wattsfuneralhome.com