Wesley E. Jones

Wesley E. Jones of Vidor, TX, 75, died October 10, 2011 at St. Luke’s Texas Heart Institute in Houston, Texas, surrounded by his immediate family, after a long battle with numerous health problems. Wesley was a native of Beaumont, but had lived in Vidor for more than 30 years where he was an active member of Pine Forest Baptist Church. Wesley attended Beaumont schools where he was a member of the French High School Class of 1954. He began his career in the late 50’s with the Beaumont Police Department. After several years, he transferred to the Jefferson Co. Sheriff’s Department before making a final career move to Gulf Oil where he remained until he retired. Wesley served in active duty in the US Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict. Upon completion of active duty, he continued his service in the Marine Reserves and then transferred to the Army Reserves until he retired in 1984 with 31 years of service. Wesley loved the outdoors and anything adventurous. He was a licensed pilot and loved parachuting, motorcycling, golfing, and traveling for entertainment throughout his years. Traveling was one of his greatest desires and was a member of the Gulf Coast Cruisers RV Club. Throughout his lifetime, he traveled the world, which included every state in the United States and also the countries of Europe, Spain, Panama, and Mexico. He and his wife Pat were founding members of the Christian Motor Cycle Club and traveled many places with them. Wesley was also an active member of the Pine Forest Masonic Lodge 1420 of Vidor, Tolerance Lodge 1165 of Beaumont, where he served as Past Master, a Shriner with the El Mina Shriners of San Antonio and a member of Eastern Star 914 out of Vidor. He was an avid golf player and loved to play dominoes and cards with his family and friends. Wesley also volunteered his services for the Lutcher Theatre in Orange, TX where he respected the arts. A visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2011 from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. at Pine Forest Baptist Church in Vidor, TX directed by Memorial Funeral Home of Vidor. The funeral service will follow on Friday, October 14, 2011 at 10 a.m. at Pine Forest Baptist Church. Wesley will be laid to rest with a graveside service to be held on Monday, Oct 17, 2011 at Carmel Baptist Church, in Monticello, Mississippi. He is survived by his wife, Patsy Lambert Jones, a daughter, Dr. Kimber Knight and her husband David of Beaumont, a daughter, Shelli Brannon and her husband Bow of Sugar Land, a daughter, Sandra Doland and her husband, Michael of Beaumont, a stepdaughter, Kimela West and her husband, Ben, of Vidor, a stepson, Mark Wood of New York, and a stepson, Paul Wood and his wife, Michelle, of the UK. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Megan Knight, Jason Knight, Hillary Brannon, Bow Brannon, III, Graham Wesley Brannon, Danielle Doland, Erin Doland, Tamara Milam and her husband, James, Melissa Kuglar and her husband, Leif, and Joel West. Wesley is survived by four great-grandchildren, Alexandra Kugler, Kylan Kugler, Aiden Kugler, James Milam, six siblings, Ann Amy of Beaumont, Les Jones and his wife, Bette, of Orange, Carolyn Modica and her husband, P.J, of Beaumont, three stepbrothers, Jerry Droptini and his wife, Janice, Andrew Droptini and his wife, Jan, and John Droptini and his wife Janet and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Opal and Andrew Droptini, and his father, Thomas Jones, a sister, Bettye Heathcock, brothers, Thomas James Jones, and Bobby Gerald Jones, and two half brothers, Tommy Lewis Jones and Raymond Charles Jones. Memorial contributions can be made to the Pine Forest Baptist Church Building Fund.