Homer Nicholas “Nick” Jones, 86, of Greenville, Texas passed away Friday, January 14, 2022, at Hunt Regional Medical Center with his wife by his side. A memorial service will be Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 11:00 AM at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home with Mr. Rick Beacom and Mr. Les Ewell officiating.
Nick was born to Homer Grady Jones and Mary Zula Warthan Jones on October 12, 1935, in Annona, Texas. When Nick was at a young age, his family moved to Orange, Texas. Nick attended Orange schools and graduated from Lutcher Stark High School in 1954 where he played football. After high school, Nick entered North Texas State University in Denton, Texas. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Two years later he moved to Beaumont, Texas and worked as a draftsman for Dollinger Steel Fabricator. During this time, he continued his education at Lamar University. Nick met Sue Smith from Chicago, and after a whirlwind courtship, they married on July 12, 1958, in Holy Name Catholic Church in Cook, Indiana. He worked for Bethlehem Steel in Beaumont, Texas until 1968. In the spring of 1968, he and his family moved to Greenville where he worked at LTV. Nick finished his education at East Texas State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree. Eventually, he returned to his passion as a salesman in the steel industry and worked for Western Cold Drawn Steel and Predco. Many years later, he had the opportunity to sell foreign steel but refused out of respect the American steel workers. Over the years, he received many awards and accolades for his volume of sales and the relationships he built with his customers. He also served on the Board of Directors of Hunt Memorial Regional Hospital District. Nick retired in 2002. Nick’s love for his family was primary in all he did in life. He always found time to coach football and other YMCA sports or any activity his children were involved in. He was a devoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
Nick is survived by his wife, Sue, of 63 years and four children—daughter Jennifer Jones and fiancé Richard Roach of Greenville, son Bob Jones and his wife Christa of Greenville, daughter Amy Melton and husband Micheal of Quinlan, son Paul Jones and wife Kathryn of Paris, grandchildren Josef Baker and wife Brianna, Savannah Hessletine and husband Blake, Ryan Hill and wife Angela, Taylor Hill and wife Jessica, Emma Melton and husband Cyle, Clayton Jones and fiancé Allie Audd and Claire Jones, special loved ones left behind Cassie Mott and husband Brandon, Russell Roach and wife Kathleen, great grandchildren Luke Hill, Riley Hill, Levi Hill, Kable Hill, Brooklynn Baker, Blakely Baker, Jaxon Hessletine, Kenleigh Hessletine, Lily Melton, Avery Mott, Aubree Mott, Carson Roach and Allison Roach, brother Harry Jones and wife Doris, sister Emma Brunken and husband John, sister Rose Mary West and husband Ron and many nieces, nephews and longtime friends.
Nick was preceded in death by his parents, sister Jean Peveto and brother James Charles Jones, all of Orange, Texas.
Even in death, Nick’s service and commitment to the medical community continued as he donated his body for medical research to UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Audie Murphy American Cotton Museum, PO Box 347 Greenville, Texas 75403.