Mr. Carl E. Jones, Sr., after 86 years, surrendered to the will of God on Monday morning, July 23, 2012 from Brownsville, Texas.

Carl was born on November 7, 1925 (the family enjoys celebrating his special day on January 18th) to Theodore Jones, Sr. and Anna Canada Banks Jones in Blackjack, Oklahoma, where he was raised by Christian great-grandparents.

After graduating high school he eagerly joined the U.S. Navy, serving our country in World War II. While living in Arkansas, Carl married his first wife, the late Mary M. Harris Jones. To this union, six children were born: Carl Jones, Jr. (Carlois), Clarence E. Jones, Sr. (Linda), David Jones (Cassandra); Anita Carter (Robert), Connie Hardaway; and Ronald Jones, Sr. (Rhonda). He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary Jones; son, Carl Jones, Jr.; son, Clarence Jones, Sr.; sister, Frankie Cole; and brother, Theodore Jones, Jr.

While serving as a deacon at Antioch Baptist Church of Muskogee, Oklahoma, widower Jones met his second wife at a sunrise service at First Baptist Church of Red Bird, Oklahoma. Carl and Barbara H. Jones were married in June of 2004. To this union, Deacon Carl gained four daughters: Marsha Janey (William); Helen Lindsay (Carlton); Melinda Tyler (Thomas); and Melissa Cash.

Carl had several passions. As a U.S. Navy veteran he loved all things related to the Navy and military service. He often wore a baseball cap with Navy insignia and a navy inspired blanket covered his bed. As a retired master fuel line diesel mechanic with the Frix and Foster Construction Company, he never outgrew his love of collecting miniature machinery items and tinkering with small engines on cars and trucks. He never missed an opportunity to work with his hands or with his enormous collection of tools.

He could spend hours outside tinkering and playing with his beloved dog, Bob T. Deacon Jones also loved to sing. His beautiful voice has graced churches, nursing homes, and family events all across Muskogee county and surrounding areas. But his greatest love was for his Savior, Jesus Christ. Deacon Carl served as the deacon for First Baptist Church, Red Bird, where he enjoyed singing with the choir, participating in Sunday school, and performing various duties to aid the Pastor and the Church. Deacon Carl always had a smile on his face, a song in his heart, and a testimony on his lips. When visiting him, you'd often find him with his bible and Sunday school book in hand, sometimes deep in prayer. If it were evening, there'd be a wrestling program or a ball game playing on the television. He loved his family and friends, listening to his gospel tapes, the color red, a good game of dominoes, watching the ducks at Honor Park, and was too polite and well mannered to refuse peach cobbler, homemade cookies, and other sweet treats, at any time.

Those waiting to meet him in Glory; his wife, Barbara H. Jones; sons, David Jones and Ronald Jones of Muskogee, Oklahoma; daughters, Anita Carter and Connie Hardaway of Tulsa, Oklahoma; one sister, Reba Campbell of Arkansas; one brother, Benjamin Banks of Arkansas; and a host of in-laws, grand children, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces, as well as cousins, friends, and adopted family members.

The Final Salute will be on Monday, July 30, 2012 at 10:00 A.M. in the First Baptist Church of Redbird. The Pastor, Reverend William Janey, will officiate.

Burial will follow in the National Cemetery at Fort Gibson, Oklahoma at 12:00 Noon.

You may visit Mr. Jones on Sunday from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM at the funeral home in Muskogee.