Gary Dane Jones

Gary Dane Jones, 77, of Longview, passed away Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, at a Longview hospital following a lengthy illness.

Gary was born on July 14, 1945, in Hampton, Ark. to Atlee and Zula Jones. He attended University of Texas at Austin and was a lifelong Longhorn fan. He and his wife Carol were married for 48 years. Gary was a general contractor, building hand-crafted homes throughout East Texas and doing commercial construction in Texas and Arkansas.

The couple also owned and operated Black Dog Gallery in North Longview where their creative talents flourished as Carol painted on canvas and furniture and Gary cooked his famous Black Dog Cakes, which were featured for years on holiday tables throughout East Texas and shipped out of state.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents Atlee and Zula Jones, his brother John Paul Jones and his daughter-in-law Suzanne Bardwell.

He is survived by his loving wife Carol, stepson Jim Bardwell, grandson Josh Bardwell and his wife Jennifer, brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Jill Jones, nephew Brad Jones, brother-in-law Jeff Vickery and many loving cousins.

Gary chose to not have a funeral because he had already celebrated life for 77 years in song and travel and brought joy to so many. He also asked his family to spread his ashes outside his beloved two-story home, which he built for Carol as a wedding gift, and together they rescued many homeless dogs and hosted lavish family gatherings.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association.