Tom Jones

E Thomas C “Tom” Jones, husband and father, died on June 13, 2021, at age 97, in Cherokee Village, Arkansas. He was born July 23, 1923 in Madison, Wisconsin to Thomas Edward and Jane Anne (Williams) Jones. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth “Betty” (Kirk) Jones. They were married from June 20, 1948 until her death February 13, 2017. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Elizabeth Thoms, and a grandson, Kirk Wagner. Tom served his country during WWII in the Italian Alps with the 10th Mountain Division of the United States Army and was awarded a Bronze Star. He earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education from the University of Wisconsin, where he was a member of the Sigma Phi Society, and a three-time letter winner in track & field. He was a lifelong fan of Badger sports. He earned a doctorate in education from the University of Nebraska. He worked with school districts in Wayne NE, Sidney NE, Carmi IL, and Crete IL, mostly as an administrator. He coached basketball and track & field. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed piloting a Cessna. He enjoyed gardening and loved to travel. He and his wife, Betty, boated for many years on the Illinois River and in the Great Lakes, especially the North Channel and Georgian Bay of Lake Huron. He was a member of the Cherokee Village United Methodist Church, Garden Club, and Golf Club. Survivors include his children: Tom (Marilyn) Jones of East Petersburg, Pennsylvania, Scott Jones of Cherokee Village, Rex (Marthe) Jones of Madison, Wisconsin, and Darcy (Ottis) Wagner of Rock Hill, South Carolina; grandchildren: Andy, Chris, Greg, Lisa, Shawn, Kaitlin, Sean, Tyler, and Katherine; great-grandchildren: Hayley, Alyssa, Morgan, Zac, Logan, Mackenzie, Oliver, Barrett, Geneva, Riley, Adalyn, and Callen; and a host of other relatives and good friends. Memorial services will be announced at a later date.