Dates
Gerald Dale Jones also known as "Daddy Rabbit" (a name given to him back in the C.B. radio days) was 73, when he went to be with his Lord and savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday Dec. 3, 2013. Gerald had endured a long courage's battle with cancer and passed away peacefully in his San Angelo home in the comfort of his wife of fifty-four years Darlene, daughter Cheryl and good friend Ken Albritton. "Dale " as he was called by family and friends from his hometown Ballinger TX. was born at home on December the 16th 1939, he was the third child out of four to be born to Joe T and Lorene Jones.
Gerald graduated from Ballinger High School in 1958 then attended Architectural school full time at Texas Tech University. Gerald painted pictures during the holiday and sold them to make money. On June 2nd 1959 Gerald married his high school sweetheart 17-year-old Darlene Jennings. Gerald served in the National Guard his unit was activated during the Cuban crisis where he proudly served our country. Gerald later continued his study on how to design and build homes. He completed three master building courses became a registered building designer and designed more than three thousand projects. Gerald was in the home building business for fifty years.
Along with other leadership positions and titles he served as President of the Jay Cees and later was voted President of the Home Builders Association. He enjoyed being a part of these organizations because of their service and contributions to the community of San Angelo. One of his latest projects was the development of the Village East retirement center for the Johnson Street Church of Christ, who he worked beside good friend Mark Davis. Gerald was humble and blessed to be apart of this project never had he built for such a Godly group of men who faithfully spent time in prayer seeking Gods will, leadership and wisdom. This is where he met and learned a lot from his mentor Jim Strother.
I admire my dad that even though he was in charge of the building projects you would find him in his faded blue jeans working along side others not afraid to get his hands dirty. Our dad had a strong work ethics and even though he worked hard he played hard. Dad was a very talented man he created paintings, drawings, made furniture, designed house plans, sculptures and more. He enjoyed singing, writing songs and poems and was a big fan of Elvis. He taught us how to dance, fish, hunt and to love the great outdoors. He even prepared special meals for our family. Our dad was always fun to be around and the life of the party. He was always planning a good joke whether it was April's fool day or not. Above all our dad was a man of faith and told us always to fear God not man. He always gave of his time and talents to help others and always told us to do the same. He delighted in our family and made it known that he loved our mom and couldn't live with out her. Even though our dad had many accomplishments he would say that nothing compared to knowing Jesus.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Charles Jones; sister Jo Ann Burns and mother in-law Jackie Lee.
Gerald is survived by his wife Darlene of San Angelo; daughter Jennifer Dalene Fisher of San Angelo, and husband Johnny; daughter Cheryl Lynn Edwards of San Angelo, and husband Loren; son Cody Dale Jones of Los Angeles, CA and special friend Summer Harlow. His brother Kenneth Neil of San Angelo. His father in-law "Buddy" Jesse Lee of San Angelo, and wife Ginger. He is survived by eight grandchildren, Stasney; Tyler; Jordan; Presley; Sean; Logan; Ella; and Gavin. Mother of Ella and Gavin Teresa Jones of Houston TX. and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Sunday December the 8th from 3-5 p.m. at Johnson's Funeral Home in San Angelo TX. Service will be Monday December the 9th at 10 a.m. at College Hills Baptist Church where Gerald and family attend. Pallbearers will be Trent Kemp, Mark Davis, David Horton, Greg Huling, Danny Fulks and Mike Markham. In lieu of flowers the family request a donation be made to the College Hills Baptist Church Building Fund. Special thanks go to pastor and friend Lakan Mariano, Hellen and Dale of Hospice and all the many people who continually prayed for Gerald and his family.