Dr. Robert Louis Jones

A celebration of life ceremony for Dr. Robert Louis Jones will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, October 3, 2015, at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy, Tyler, TX 75703. Robert Louis Jones, age 87, of Tyler, Texas, formerly Russellville, AR, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at Hospice of East Texas Home Place. He was married to the love of his life, Shirley M. Jones with whom he celebrated their 41st anniversary on June 15 of this year. Bob was born in Russellville, AR, second son of the late Ralph N. Jones and Jane Smith Jones, lifelong residents of Russellville, and grandson of the late Gertrude Munday Smith and Dr. Robert Louis Smith, founding owner and head surgeon of Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center. Robert graduated from Arkansas Tech University in 1950 and then pursued a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas. His first administrative job was as principal of Mountain Home Elementary in Mountain Home, AR. As an active National Guard member, Bob was called into active service during the Korean War, serving two winters in the Seventh Division Artillery. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star. After returning from Korea, Bob served as a school principal at Washington Elementary School in Fayetteville, AR. Later, he was employed by the University of Arkansas in a number of roles, including the Dean of Men. After his return to the University of Arkansas, he completed his Ph.D in 1966. Jones then served as vice president for hospital administration at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). Jones began two decades of service at Mississippi State University in 1967, where he was hired as the first vice president for student affairs, with the charge to initiate and implement a modern, professional organization to meet the needs of a rapidly changing and growing student body. Jones brought a level of professionalism and national networking to MSU, including mentoring of young staff, establishing trained residence hall head residents, a student counseling and career/placement center, collaboration with freshman academic departments, aggressive student recruitment programs, student leadership training programs, freshmen, parent orientation programs and intramural programs. Jones was challenged immediately to defuse and redirect student activities in the midst of society’s upheavals. Some of the volatile themes included the Civil Rights Movement, the Jackson State and Kent State tragedies, the John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King assassinations, the Vietnam War protests, and the Women’s Liberation activities, including Title IX implementation. The Student Affairs Division continues to reflect and benefit from the groundbreaking work performed by Jones and his administrative team. In April 2013, a New Hall of Honor pays tribute to Jones and his colleagues who provided sustained and distinguished service at MSU. Jones left behind a legacy of success and growth reflected in the university’s current 20,000-plus student body enrollment, Mississippi’s largest university. After leaving MSU, Jones served at The University of Texas at Tyler as vice president for administration and as chief student affairs officer from 1984 - 1994, Bob resumed full-time graduate teaching in 1994, as professor in higher education leadership at UT-Tyler. He retired in 2000 as professor emeritus. He has been honored by UT-Tyler as the namesake of the Robert L. Jones Student Leadership Award, an annual honor bestowed on an outstanding, peer-selected student leader. Bob served as board member of numerous community organizations and as a professional advisor to other professional administrators in higher education. He was a charter member of the National Vice Presidents Group, a 22-member “think tank” in student affairs, initiated in 1967. Jones is the past president of the Southern Association of College Student Affairs over 15 states. Jones worked with the Chamber of Commerce to take a team trip to establish Tyler as a Senior Certified City. He has been involved in helping to implement numerous healthcare and retirement centers including Rosewood and beginning the Boy Scouts of America Fundraiser as a Council Member at Large. He served as State Council President with Arkansas, Mississippi and the City of Tyler. Jones played a key role in developing a Junior Golf Scholarship for youth in Tyler, known as the First Tee of Greater Tyler. On June 19, 2015, the East Texas Chapter of Mississippi State University Alumni Association announced the naming of the chapter’s scholarships in honor of Dr. Robert L. Jones. Bob was born an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling, working in his yard and going to the farmer’s market each morning for fruits and vegetables. People who knew him would often say he was so full of life and found humor in conversation with friends. Bob was a great listener and mentored so many students throughout their careers, helping finance scholarships for student tuition. One thing many might not know is he loved little children and was often found bouncing a great-grandchild on his knee or just plain being silly with them in play. Bob was a known strong leader, a giving friend, a great companion and cared for others unconditionally. Survivors include his wife, Dr. Shirley M. Jones; four children, Sarah Jones Peterson and husband Brian of Joplin, MO, Robert Bradford Jones and wife Roni of Farmersville, LA, Melinda Maxwell Connolly and husband Doug of Irving, TX, and Randall E. Maxwell of Nashville, TN; one brother, Ralph N. Jones and wife Hazel of Atlanta, GA; a first cousin, Dot Davidson of Poplar Bluff, MO; grandchildren, Elliott Kersh of Joplin, Emily Trejo and husband Roberto of Joplin, Dillon Buchcanan, Alex Jones of Farmerville, LA, Olivia Ward and husband Eddie of West Monroe, LA, Kati Zachary of Los Angles, CA, and Annabelle Swink of Fayetteville, AR, Megan Connolly Swanson and husband Mark of Carrollton, Trey Connolly and wife Michelle of Carrollton, and Caitlin Connolly Price and husband Jory of Grapevine; great-grandchildren, Aundrea and Roselyn Trejo, Cooper Connolly and Olivia Price; and many nieces and nephews. Bob was the father of the late Suzan Jones Zachary Swink of Joplin, MO, and the brother of the late Shirley Jones Townsend of Omaha, NE. Charitable contributions to memorialize Dr. Robert L. Jones may be given in lieu of flowers to the following organizations: * Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd.,Tyler TX., 75701 * Alzheimer's Association of North East Texas, 3613 S. Broadway, Tyler, TX, 75701 * Mississippi State University Foundation Checks payable to: MSU Foundation designated for the Dr. Robert L. Jones East Texas Alumni Chapter Scholarship Mailing Address: MSU Foundation P.O. Box 6149 Mississippi State, MS 39762 Ph: 662-325-7000 On line: http://www.msufoundation.com and click on "Give Now" to complete form Psalms 16:11 Thou will show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy: at the right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Dr. Robert Louis Jones

October 21, 1927 - September 10, 2015