Paul Jones

Published 10:44 am Monday, July 11, 2016

Paul Jones died peacefully in Shreveport on July 3, 2016, at the age of 83.

A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for Saturday, July 9, at 10 a.m. at the Chapel at the Oaks of Louisiana in Shreveport. Visitation and a gathering of friends and family will precede the service and begin at 9 a.m. There will be a reception following the service.

An additional memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 16, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of First Baptist Church of Lafayette. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Paul’s life. Honoring Paul as pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

Paul was born on Nov. 1, 1933, in Enon. He graduated from Angie High School in Angie in 1952, where he was co-valedictorian with his twin sister, Sue. He graduated with a bachelor of science degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in 1956 and was elected to the President’s Club for academic success.

Following college, he attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before accepting a job with Otis Engineering. Eventually his career took him to south Louisiana, to Opelousas, where he was an agent for Allstate Insurance for more than 45 years.

Paul was a faithful Christian his entire life. He grew up attending Angie Baptist Church. As an adult, his church home was First Baptist Church in Opelousas where he served as treasurer, Sunday school teacher and was elected as a deacon. In his later years, he also had a church home of First Baptist Church of Lafayette, where he and Colleen co-taught an adult Sunday school class and were active in the Chinese mission ministry.

Paul enjoyed the study of military history and often visited cities of historical significance in order to further his studies. Many a family vacation included touring military museums, state capitals, battlegrounds and other historical sites. Paul had a lifelong curiosity and love of learning. He was an avid reader, particularly of history, and loved discussing the books he either had recently read or wanted to read. He amassed a large library of historical works, including a great number of books donated to Louisiana State University of Shreveport and housed in a library named in his honor.

It is no surprise that all four of his children grew up to become lawyers and that his grandchildren share his love of learning. He was quick to laugh, and his best character trait was his universal kindness. Paul was a faithful husband, loving father and grandfather and ardent LSU fan. He was loved by his entire family.

He is preceded in death by his father, Jewel Bascom Jones; his mother, Annie Pauline Stewart Jones; and his daughter Marsha Lynn Jones Semon.

Paul is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Dewey Colleen Jones, of Opelousas currently residing in Shreveport; his sister, Sue Foil, of Abingdon, Va.; his daughter, Pamela Robin Jones and husband Dr. Michael Greco of Shreveport; his daughter, Allison Anne Jones and husband Philip Downer of Shreveport; his son, Paul Matthew Jones and wife Chalin Jones of Lafayette; and seven grandchildren, Joshua Philip Downer, Madelyn Rose Semon, Jared Michael Greco, Micah Paul Semon, Stephen Edward Downer, Luke Clifford Jones and Kelly Stewart Jones.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Shelly Ardoin Cain, who Paul treated as a fourth daughter, and who assisted him while he worked for Allstate Insurance. The family would also like to extend special thanks to all medical personnel for their wonderful care, and particularly Dr. Michael Moore of the Willis Knighton Cancer Center, who Paul respected and loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home or to the charity of your choice.

Visit www.hillcrestmemorialfh.com to leave online condolences for the family.