A Celebration of Life Service was held at First Baptist Church Dalhart, TX on Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 10:00 am. with Rev. Rodney Weatherly, Pastor and Rev. Clifford Dane, Retired pastor officiating. Burial followed in Memorial Park Cemetery.James Edward J. Eddie Jones, age 96, passed away peacefully on Sept. 24 2008 . He was born at home in rural Mullins Community near Mt. Park, OK on July 26, 1912. Father- Atticus Haygood Jones and mother Mary Ellen Cheaney Jones. The youngest of 5 children he is predeceased by brothers Truman and William and sisters Ruth Holland and Pauline Wyrick.Eddie completed his education at Central State in OK in 1934 where he was on the wrestling team in the 118 lb class and was team Captain his senior year. He began his teaching career in Balko and Hardesty, OK., then moved to Dalhart, TX where he taught math, coached, and was a principle. He became the area Conoco Wholesale gasoline and fertilizer dealer in the early 50s. He married Laura L. Harrell on August 30, 1944 in Norfolk, VA. They had been married for 52 years at the time of her death in 1996. Eddie served in the US Navy in Norfolk, VA. and aboard the USS South Dakota in the Pacific theater. He was awarded numerous campaign ribbons and witnessed the signing of the Japanese Peace Treaty in Tokyo Bay. At the end of WWII Eddie and his war bride returned to Dalhart where he lived until moving to McKinney in March 2008.Eddie served as president of the following organizations - Ambassador Club, Dallam-Hartley Counties Chamber of Commerce, Hwy 54 Assoc, Hwy 87 Assoc, Hartley County Industrial Development Assoc., Dallam-Hartley-Sherman Foundation, Dalhart Lions Club, and Dalhart School Board. He was a Mason and served on the Dalhart Veterans Memorial Committee as well as a Director of the Dalhart Country Club, and he served as the Mayor of Dalhart 51-55, and interim City Manager. J. Eddie was honored as Dalhart Citizen of the Year 1983, and in 2001 he received the Super Team of Volunteers Award by the Amarillo Globe News.A long time member of the First Baptist Church, J. Eddie served as the Chairman of the First Baptist Church Building Committee. The large stained glass window above the baptistery is dedicated to Eddie as thanks for his years of service.J. Eddie joined Lions Club International in 1937 and received the organizations only 70 year pin in 2007. He served as Pres., Zone Chairman, Deputy District Governor, Director High Plains Eye Bank. Awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, Life Membership, and the Legacy of Leadership for District 2T1 by the Lions International. A scholarship is set up at the Texas Lions Camp for Children in his honor. He was a big supporter of the XIT Rodeo and Reunion. He served as a Director and was selected as Parade Marshal on two occasions (1994 & 1998). At age 95 he helped season the barbecue meat just as he had done for decades. He was inducted as an Alumnae by Choice by Baylor University in 2000. J. Eddie is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Belinda and Dee Patterson; 2 grandsons-Brett Aaron and wife Megan Patterson, Trent Avery Patterson and fianc Carrie Hanson. One great grandson, Luke Aaron Patterson ; all of McKinney, TX. In addition he is survived by a close friend he often referred to as his son, James McClellan, and his special sweetheart for the past 10 years, Vaudene Giles.A nephew Bob Wyrick and wife Pearlie Numerous Nieces - Louise and husband Jim Laurent, Truman and Betty Jones, Jr., Lola Mae and husband G.C. Thompson, Wanda Jo and husband A.J. Pursewell, Mrs. Birdie Miller, Mrs. Gayle Harris and husband Richard, Mrs. Patsy Perry, Mrs. Lewelyn Babb and husband Richard, Mrs. Gloria W. Peed and husband William. In lieu of flowers Eddie requested donations to theDalhart Senior Citizens Center610 Denrock Ave. , Dalhart, Texas 79022Or to the Texas Lions Camp for Children, P.O. Box 290247, Kerrville, TX 78029-0247c/o J. Eddie Jones scholarship fund.