Lt. Jones, Jr.

Lt. Col (Ret) Jay P. Jones, Jr. was born on December 4th, 1966, in Waco, Texas. Jay entered eternal rest on March 25th, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas. He grew up on a farm outside Waco, and showed champion steers in high school. After graduating from Connelly High School in 1985, Jay attended Texas A&M University, where he was a member of the Corps of Cadets and Parson's Mounted Cavalry. In 1989 he graduated cum laude with a degree in Poultry Science. He continued his education throughout his career by earning an MBA in Quality Management, an M.S. in Organizational Management and a Masters of Military Arts and Science.

Jay spent 23 years in the United States Air Force as a Space Operations Officer. After graduating top of his class at Officer Training School and earning distinguished graduate from Undergraduate Missile Training, he reported to Cheyenne, Wyoming for his first missile assignment. The following years included duty stations in Colorado Springs, CO, San Antonio, TX, Denver, CO and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. While in Denver, CO, Jay's family was named 460th Space Wing's Military Family of the year. At the pinnacle of his career, he commanded the 460th Operations Support Squadron. During his final assignment in San Antonio, TX, he served a 90-day deployment to the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq. His major military awards include five Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and three Air Force Commendation Medals.

Throughout the course of his very full life, Jay was a lifelong 4-H and FFA member and supporter. He was a member of the Texas A&M College of Agriculture Development Council. In addition to this, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets Association, and was a regional Corps of Cadets recruiter. He was an officer at his local Aggie club wherever he was stationed. He spent many years coaching youth sports. Jay served as a Eucharistic minister, a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council #6358, and a member of Saint Michael's Society. He also served as a life member of the San Antonio Livestock Exposition, as well as an Honor Flight coordinator.

After retiring from the Air Force, Jay fulfilled his dream of becoming an entrepreneur by opening a home health care business in San Antonio. Jay passed on his love of raising animals to his children. He always put his family and others first, and never said no to a volunteer opportunity. Jay lived and loved life to the fullest. He loved God, his family and friends, his country and his Aggies.

Jay is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Pamela Jones and by his three sons Brandon, Blake, and Brock. He is also survived by his parents, Jay P. Jones, Sr., and Juanita Jones and by his brothers, Bo (Kathleen) Jones, and Justin (Kinna) Jones. Additionally, he is survived by his in-laws, Marge and Ted Meyers, and brother-in-law, Kevin Meyers. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his grandparents Roscoe and Caroline Jones, as well as Jim and Nellie Cornelius.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00-9:00PM on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at Schertz Funeral Home, with a Rosary being recited at 7:00PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00AM on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Selma, Texas. Graveside services will be held at 1:00PM on Friday, March 31, 2017 at St. Martin's of Tours Cemetery, 7915 Heritage Pkwy, West, Texas 76691.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the following organizations:

Parson's Mounted Cavalry:

The Texas A&M Foundation

401 George Bush Drive,

College Station, Texas 77840

or online at txamfoundation.com .

Please designate the memorial gift to the Parsons Mounted Cavalry Excellence Fund (#73733) in the memo line of the check or online. Checks can be made out to the Texas A&M Foundation

Catholic Relief Services: http://bit.ly/2ntZ8GU

Honor Flight:

Honor Flight

14080 Nacogdoches Road, PMB 340

San Antonio, Texas 78247

.