Harold Jones

Harold Jones, 93, passed away on Thursday, May 3, 2018, at Valley Grande Manor in Weslaco, Texas. He was born in Louisiana on July 6, 1924, to Euell Oliver Jones and Florence Hodges. Harold met his sweetheart and wife, Liz (Warner), in Houston during his military training. After he left to fight in WWII, they communicated through letters. When he returned home, they immediately married, "because he didn't want her getting away". Harold followed his father-in-law's career path and worked for Crown Zellerbach. Soon after, he and Liz had their son, and only child, Hal Samuel Jones. Harold was President and partner with four other individuals of Rio Grande Container, which was incorporated in 1992. In 1995, Harold and Mark Gibbs became co-owners of Rio Grande Container and ran the business together until 2017. Between the two of them, they had nearly 100 years of experience in the packaging industry. Their company manufactured corrugated boxes, pads, and partitions and was a wholesaler of packaging material tape and foam. Their materials supplied the needs for the RGV and the Maquila Industries. Harold and Mark built a successful company and enjoyed a dear relationship for many years. Harold was a member of the Kiwanis for ten years where he served numerous offices, including president and vice-president. He taught Sunday School at First Baptist Church in Weslaco and even helped build the benches for Sunday School. He participated in mission trips to Mexico where he helped build churches. He was also a member of the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Valley Nature Center. Since Harold was a barbeque man, he enjoyed participating in the Smokin on the Rio Cook-Off where he helped to promote student involvement in agricultural lifestyle. In 2004, Rio Grande Container won Grand Champion for Smokin on the Rio. The people from the company won so many awards for their barbeque that it filled a whole trophy case. Harold loved the outdoors and nature. In 2002 he and Mark Gibbs participated in the Valley Land Fund Photo Contest where they won first place for their photograph. Even though Harold had a difficult time discussing the war, he shared his story with his granddaughter for a high school assignment and was then asked to come and speak at a World History class at Weslaco High School where he was honored as a WWII Veteran. He traveled to many reunions to be with his company unit, the 746 AAA Gun Battalion. He treasured the time he had with his fellow Army members. Harold was a charming, well-loved friend, father, and Papa who always had a joke or a cute comeback or remark for everyone in the room. He always had a grin on his face, and he lit up when he saw his friends and family. He loved his family dearly. Harold is preceded in death by his parents, Euell Oliver Jones and Florence Hodges, brothers, Clyde Melvin Jones, Euell "Junior" Oliver Jones, Jr., Johnny Alvin Jones, and sisters Juanita "Nita" Jones, Ilva "Evelyn" Jones, Bette Merle Jones, and Ida Jones, his daughter-in-law, Hilma "Missy" Reed Jones, and his wife, Liz Jones. He is survived by his loving son, Hal Jones and his wife, Candis, grandchildren Matthew Reed Jones, Amie-Marie (Jorge) Ibarra, and Sarah Neal, and great-grandchild, Kay Ibarra, step-grandchildren, Kelley Stence, Amy Gonzalez, Denise Chapa, Doug Stence and step-great-grandchildren, Jamey Hinojosa, Trey Flores, Grant Stence, Adilynn Stence, Lane Stence, and Malcolm Gonzalez. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested for contributions to be made in his honor https://onrealm.org/firstbaptistweslaco/Give/UUMJXLZTFY Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 9th, from 5-7pm at McCaleb Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 10th, at McCaleb Funeral Home Chapel, 11 am, with Dr. Steven Parker officiating. Burial will be held on Friday, May 11th, 2:30 pm, Forest Park Lawndale in Houston, Texas.