Lowell Jones

Lowell F. Jones passed away peacefully on December 9, 2018 at the age of 86. He was born November 27, 1932 in Houston, Texas, the only child of his parents, Elizabeth (Stoerkel) and Russell L. Jones.

Lowell grew up in the great depression and attended Stephen F. Austin High School in Bryan. After graduation he attended Texas A&M University, Class of ’54. While a freshman he met the love of his life, Margaret Rahnert, and they married on January 23, 1954 at the Central Baptist Church in his senior year. After graduation, Lowell entered active military service in the United States Army as a 2nd Lieutenant, Quartermaster Corps at Fort Lee Virginia. Lowell later volunteered for the Army Air Corps, Fort Rucker Alabama where he earned his treasured Aviation Wings flying fixed and rotary winged aircraft. As an Army Aviator his call sign was “Cowboy 44”. He logged over 3000 hours of flight time and flight tested the Bell helicopter.

Lowell served his country for 4 years from 1954 to 1959. Upon completing his military obligation in 1959, Lowell, Margaret, and their two sons, David and Kenneth, returned to Bryan, Texas where Lowell worked for GMAC repossessing automobiles. He later joined the former College Station State Bank, which became the University National Bank, as a Loan Officer and was employed in the banking business for several years. In 1967 another business opportunity came his way and he along with his business partner, Jim Busiek founded the Busiek-Jones Agency, the family business known today as Jones & Associates Inc. Initially this business was focused on offering home loans through Farm and Home Savings out of Nevada Missouri and later expanded to include multi-lines insurance as an Independent Insurance Agency, laying the foundation for a local Bryan/College Station business that would withstand the test of time, marking its 52nd Anniversary in business on February 2018 serving the people of the Brazos Valley.

While establishing a well-respected business in the Bryan/College Station community, Lowell became a founding member of the Bryan/College Station “Better Business Bureau”. Furthermore, he provided leadership in the Bryan/College Station community and his church by serving as an officer for the Bryan/College Station evening Lyons Club; an active member of the Bryan/College Station Trap and Skeet Club; a Sunday School teacher at the Central Baptist Church; a member of the Wixon Water Board; and a Boy Scout leader for Troop 364. Lowell provided Christian ministry services on Sunday mornings for 37 years at Sherwood Nursing Home, which later became Generations. He also supported the Texas A&M Association of Former Students and 12th Man Foundation. Lowell was honored by the Texas A&M Association of Former Students in 2009 as a member of the Golden Circle “Sul Ross Group” recognizing his devoted interest in the University for over 55 years.

Lowell loved the Colorado Rockies and Texas, and when not traveling to great places in the United States he enjoyed traveling the world to countries in Europe and visiting places in Mexico and Canada with his wife Margaret. Lowell was an avid deer, duck and pheasant hunter, and golfer. One of the fondest memories that David, Kenneth and Bruce had was spending time with their father hunting deer, ducks, and catfishing on their property located on the Navasota river bottom. Margert and Judy, along with the boys, also enjoyed spending family time together snow skiing in at Crested Butte, Colorado. He also was an avid supporter of his beloved Texas A&M University where he enjoyed attending football games at Kyle Field or traveling to Aggie away football games.

Over several decades, Lowell made many lifelong friendships at the golf courses, on hunting trips, teaching Sunday school, at the Bryan/College Station Skeet Club, or serving his community as a volunteer for multiple organizations. His enduring legacy is his example as a family patriarch. He cherished his family with his heart and soul and was known as “PaPaw” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lowell saw the good in all people and had an innate ability to encourage and inspire others. He enjoyed a lifetime of enriched friendships and strong family relationships as a result of the time and attention he gave to others and their needs throughout his life.

Lowell is proceeded in death by his parents Russell Lowell and Elizabeth Jones, and a daughter Diane Eline Jones. Lowell’s memory will live on the heart of those who survive him; his wife Margaret Jones of Bryan, Texas; sons David L. Jones and his wife Liz of Bryan Texas; Kenneth D. Jones and his wife Cheryl of Iola, Texas; and Bruce A. Jones and his wife Maria of College Station, Texas; daughter Judy A. Cassady of Roanoke, Texas; 9-grandchildren and their families, and 2-great grandchildren, and many friends.

The family will receive friends and loved ones for a time of visitation on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 from 5-7 PM at Hillier Funeral Home of Bryan. Services honoring the life of Lowell will be held on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 2:00 PM with full military honors at Hillier Funeral Home of Bryan.

Memorials can be made to Central Baptist Church/Children’s Building Fund, www.centralbcs.org or The Texas A&M University Foundation/E. King Gill Selfless Service Award, www.txamfoundation.com.