Dr. James William “Jimmy” Jones, age 87, of Arkadelphia, passed from this life on Friday, January 28, 2022, at his home.  He was born March 5, 1934, in Bearden, AR, the son of the late Homer and Dorothy Gatlin Jones.  Jimmy was a graduate of Bearden High School, Henderson State University and held a Ph.D from East Texas State University. 

He was a retired professor at Henderson State University, a former football coach at Ouachita Baptist University and East Texas State University.  Jimmy coached at Texarkana High School, Mount Pleasant TX High and Cooper High School in Cooper, TX.  He enjoyed traveling, golfing, working on his land, working out in the gym and running in his free time.  He is preceded in death by his father, Homer Jones, mother and step father, Dorothy and Cecil Duckworth, one brother, Homer Jones and one daughter, Brenda Jones Mankertz.

Survivors are beautiful partner of thirty years, Ann Phelan of Malvern, one daughter, Janet Jones Sandman (Paul) of Dallas, one son, James W. “Jim” Jones, Jr. (Karen) of Arkadelphia, four grandchildren, Jake Jones, Taylor Norman, Ryan Norman and Kara Hurst, three great grandchildren, Jett Jones, Kinley Jones and Callen Norman.      

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the 1959 HSU Hall of Fame Football Team Athletic Scholarship Fund c/o Henderson State University.

Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.  Visit www.welchfh.net to sign the guestbook.