James "Jim" Leroy Jones

James (Jim) Leroy Jones, age 92 of Mineral Wells, Texas, passed away October 1, 2025 at Faith Presbyterian Hospice in Dallas. He was born February 7, 1933, in Brixey, Ozark County, Missouri. Jim lived with six different families during his first eight years of schooling and credit’s each one of them for helping mold his life.

Soon after High School in Mountain Grove, Missouri, Jim was drafted to go serve in the Korean War. After the war, Jim elected to stay in the military. It was a blind date at his Duty Station near Chicago, Illinois in 1956 that he met and married his wife Barbara during his fourth year of Military Service. Jim graduated from Helicopter Flight School and spent his remaining 20 years in the military as a Helicopter Pilot. He served two tours in Vietnam flying Chinook Helicopters. He was shot down once and spent two hours pinned down by the enemy.

During his Vietnam Service, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, and 29 air medals (one with valor). Jim’s military service ended at Fort Wolters, Texas, in 1974 where he held the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Four but his Job Title was “Chief of Standardization.”

Jim was an avid golfer, scoring five holes in one during his career. He also loved watching most sporting events. Gardening and keeping a lawn nice was a couple of hobbies he enjoyed. Late in life, Jim and Barbara dedicated their lives to God. They spent their last years as strong members working in their church and doing as much as they could for those in need. If you met Jim on the street, he probably nodded his head and said “Howdy.” Jim loved people.

Preceding him in death were his mother Lois Conley, father James E. Jones, and daughter Susan Jones.

He is survived by his wife Barbara Jones, son David Jones, and daughter Becky Jones. He is survived by grandchildren Andrew Jones, Sara Jones, Alisa Jones, Adelia Jones, Liz Andreola and Bailey Kennedy. He also has three great grandchildren, Fox Jones, Stella Sharum and Shiloh Sharum. He has nieces and nephews on the west coast and several cousins.

Condolences may be left at www.bcbfuneralhome.com.

Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home