Hartzel Erskin Jones

Funeral services for Hartzel Erskin Jones, 85, of Lufkin will be held Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Gene Elrod, Brother Aaron Wilson, and Milton Wade officiating. Interment will follow in the Jones Prairie Cemetery in Leggett.

Hartzel Erskin Jones was born October 4, 1938 in Livingston, Texas to the late Joseph Erskin and Bessie Florene (Parker) Jones, and died Sunday, February 25, 2024 in Lufkin.

Hartzel graduated from Sam Houston High School in Houston, Texas in 1957. He then married his high school sweetheart, Jimmie Sue Brown on June 1, 1957. Together they had two daughters, three granddaughters, and five great-granddaughters. Hartzel’s pride and joy was “his girls”. He loved them fiercely and was totally devoted to them.

He was a faithful member of Bauman Road Baptist church in Houston for many years. He was always there for the teenagers from the youth group. He took them on trips to Lake Austin and even taught many of them how to ski. He was a big kid at heart, and like a second dad to many of them. After moving to Lufkin, Hartzel and Jimmie joined Keltys First Baptist Church where he was a member of the Cornerstone Sunday School class and enjoyed getting together with the Seasoned Saints for Bible studies and games.

Hartzel had a strong work ethic. He began working at Rainbow Bakery in Houston while he was still in high school. Shortly after graduating he began working for Southwestern Bell, where he worked until he retired in the early 1990’s. He was also very involved in the Pioneers, a volunteer organization affiliated with Southwestern Bell and AT&T. He later worked for David and Cindy Box as a parts runner. When he wasn’t working, Hartzel had a few hobbies. He enjoyed building things including several swings that he gave as Christmas gifts one year. He also spent time helping to build churches in Mexico and Texas with the Master Builders. One of his more recent hobbies was the Ham radio. He was so proud of the fact that he passed the Ham operator test and very much enjoyed chatting with people all over the country. Hartzel was always there to help family and friends with whatever projects they had going on at the time, be it painting a room or roofing a house. Hartzel’s constant willingness to help others endeared him to so many.

Survivors include his daughter, Sheri McConnell; daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and Milton Wade, all of Lufkin; granddaughter and husband Elizabeth and Simon Staats of College Station; granddaughter and finacè, Melanie Stella and Wesley Price of Spring; granddaughter and husband Valerie and Eric Brevard of Lufkin; great-granddaughters, Marryn Stella, Evangeline Staats, Maddyn Stella, Genevieve Staats, and Felicity Brevard; brother and sister-in-law, Charlie and Janie Jones; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 66 years, Jimmie Sue; brothers, Paul, Joseph, John, and Herman Jones; sister, Bessie Jewel “BJ” Connor; and sons-in-law, Gary Myers and Larry McConnell.

Pallbearers will be Simon Staats, Wesley Price, Eric Brevard, Terry Lawson, David Lawson, and Jeff Leonardos.

Honorary pallbearer will be Dannie McFadden.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Pinnacle Superior Senior Living, the staff of Hospice in the Pines, the staff of The Joseph House, and to his primary care physician, Dr. Richard Roby.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed, at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.