Larry Dean Jones

Larry D. Jones, 68, ended his battle with cancer, which he fought with toughness and valor, on Tuesday, June 27 in his hometown of Kilgore, Texas. Born to Margie Mae and Ruben Sol Jones in Beckville, Texas January 15, 1955, Larry also resided in Marshall, Tatum, Longview, LaPorte, and Jasper during his lifetime. He was proceeded in death by his parents, his sister Margie Faye Kellogg, and his father-in-law Wayne Broughton, and is survived by his wife Monica S. Jones, daughters Melissa McGinnis and Lori Portley, sons-in-law Erin McGinnis and Rodrick Portley, siblings Ruben Sol Jr. and Gail Jones, Ricky and Sandy Jones, William Jones, and Lilly Knox, as well as his grandchildren Grayson Schave, Rosaleen McGinnis, and Addyson Schave, special nephews George Kellogg and Jeff Jones, and many other much-loved nieces and nephews. He was a member of Cornerstone Assembly of God in Kilgore.

Intelligent, hard-working, resourceful, and too stubborn to take orders from anyone for too long, Larry was an entrepreneur and owned several businesses throughout his life, including  a car dealership, grocery store, mechanic and tire shop, gameroom, and fireworks stands, and ended his career life as a flea market vendor. He was a "Jack of all trades" and his talents included carpentry, mechanics, guitar, salesmanship, auctioneering, electrician, and the uncanny ability to stir up trouble wherever he went. Frequently referred to as "the Stick," he took great joy in teasing his loved ones and causing a little mayhem from time to time, especially while playing card and board games. A coffee addict who thoroughly enjoyed visiting with others, he was a regular at Texas Traditions in Gladewater, where he was everyone's Grandpa or surrogate Dad, though no one ranked higher than his three biological grandchildren, except maybe his poodle Chloe, who surely greeted him at the Gates of Heaven. His other interests included fishing, ATV-riding, poker, car shows, and History Channel TV shows.

Memorial Service will be held at Croley Funeral Home in Gladewater at 1:00pm on Monday, July 3. Family and friends are invited to a reception following the service at the Riverside RV Park Community Center at 3711 Hwy 42 N, Longview.