Richard Jones

Obituary for Richard William "Bill" Jones

June 28, 1933 - November 21, 2025

At age 92 years, Bill Jones, beloved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, teacher / coach and friend, stepped into his eternal reward with Jesus following a prolonged decline in his health. He was born to Tate and Maggie Jones in Dougherty, Texas. He grew up on the family farm and attended schools in Dougherty and Floydada.

He received his teaching degree at West Texas State University, where he met the love of his life, Ruth Carolyn "Tippie" Reeves, from Hedley, Texas. After their marriage, they had three children....Richard, Jr.; Olivia and Julie. He began teaching and coaching in Plainview, Texas. He went back to WTSU over two or three summers to complete his Master’s Degree in Education. In 1965, he rejoined his father and brother, Travis, working on the family farm in Floyd County. However, after one year of farming, he realized that his true love and passion was education. He returned to teaching and coaching in Pampa, Texas for two years, then moved on to Ennis, Texas. While in Ennis, he moved into administration and served as an elementary principal and later, a high school principal. In 1979, they moved back to Pampa where he served as the principal at Austin Elementary for 20 years. He loved nurturing children and supporting his teachers. He was passionate about giving every student the best possible opportunity to flourish in school and later in life. He kept in touch with many former athletes and students and always loved to reconnect with them. He experienced immense joy in being known as "their principal". After retiring, from Pampa ISD, he went on to serve in the Windham School District within the Texas Dept. of Corrections for seven years. He also served on the Pampa ISD School Board. Bill was a man of integrity, honesty and honor.

He and Tippie had a beautiful love story. She was the fun-loving extrovert, he was the quiet, reserved introvert. In their college days, they loved to go to Amarillo and go dancing at "The Nat". Later on, they enjoyed playing bridge and he loved a good game of "42" or "84". He enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially when he and Rich got to go out together. He coached Little League teams, served as an assistant Boy Scout leader, enjoyed sports of EVERY kind and played golf. Most of all, he was a terrific father who loved his kids fiercely.

He always enjoyed spending time with his family. The annual Jones Family Reunions in Floydada were a favorite activity each summer. He was stern when he needed to be, but was always fair and always wanted his kids to learn from their mistakes. He became the biggest "softie" in the world when it came to his beloved grandchildren.... in his opinion, they could never do anything wrong.

In the last years of Tippie's life, she experienced some chronic health issues and Bill became a committed, dependable, compassionate care-giver. He showed a warmth and kindness that was a beautiful model for his family. They shared 60 years of marriage and were an example of a godly marriage to their friends and family. He and "Tip" loved their time living at Park Place Tower in Amarillo...enjoying all of the benefits of independent senior living. After her death, he continued to live there until January of this year. His declining health required a higher level of care, which he found at The Ware skilled nursing center. His continued physical and cognitive decline ultimately led to his death.

He and Tippie were lifelong members of the Methodist Church and quickly became part of the local congregation in each new town they moved to. In Amarillo, they found their church home at Polk Street Methodist Church. In the past 2 years, Bill would ride his electric scooter from Park Place to Polk Street, crossing two busy streets in the process. His kids did not approve of this activity, but he insisted on getting to church each week!

He was preceded in death by his wife, Tippie Jones; his parents, Tate & Maggie Jones; his sister, Nancy Carol, who died from polio as a child; his brother, Travis Jones and his wife, Gladys Jones; and his son-in-law, Jim Smith. He is survived by his children - Richard (Rich) William Jones, Jr and Cathey; Olivia Sims and Barry; Julie Smith; along with seven grandchildren - Jennifer, Jeffrey, Barry, Taylor, Haley, Alice-Tate & Jes; twelve great-grandchildren; multiple nieces and nephews and cousins.

There will be a private graveside service followed by a public celebration of life service on the second Saturday in December , the 13th at 2:00pm at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Chapel in Amarillo. We want to thank the wonderful staff at Park Place, The Ware and BSA Hospice. We can never thank them enough for the compassionate, professional care that they provided for our father. Donations may be made to First Methodist Church Pampa (201 E. Foster Ave. / Pampa, Tx. / 79065) or Polk Street Methodist Church (1401 S. Polk St. / Amarillo, Tx. / 79101) in memory of Bill Jones.