Robert Howard Jones, Sr.

Robert H. Jones, Sr. passed from this life on November 20, 2025. He was born to Jake Jones, Sr. and Effie Samara Jones in Shawnee, Oklahoma on December 29, 1931. Robert attended Shawnee schools, graduating with the class of 1949, and served as senior class president. He was a member of the high school tennis team, the National Thespian Society, and the National Honor Society. He then attended Oklahoma A & M (now Oklahoma State University), where he was a member of the Air Force ROTC, Blue Key National Honor Society, and Kappa Sigma fraternity. He graduated from Oklahoma A&M in 1953 and attended law school at the University of Oklahoma, where he was President of the Delta Theta Phi Law fraternity and directed the law school chorus. Robert graduated from law school in 1956 and then served for two years in the Judge Advocate General’s Corp for the U.S. Air Force as a JAG officer. Robert was stationed at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Virginia and Foster Air Force Base in Victoria, Texas.

After his service in the Air Force he returned to Shawnee to open his private law practice and practiced for sixty years. Robert was also an adjunct professor, teaching business law at Oklahoma Baptist University for eighteen years. He served as Municipal Judge for the City of Shawnee for forty-nine years.

Robert was an active member of the Shawnee community as a 32nd degree Mason of the Shawnee Masonic Composite Lodge 107. He joined his brothers as a member of the Shawnee Kiwanis Club, serving as President from 1971 to 1972. He was also President of the Pottawatomie County Bar Association and the State of Oklahoma Municipal Judges Association.

His love for music started early, beginning with his participation in the boys’ choir at Emanuel Episcopal Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He was a member of a barbershop quartet for many years and the quartet performed in two separate productions over a twenty year period of the musical The Music Man at Shawnee Little Theater. He also performed with his good friend Judge Lloyd Henry in the production of the Odd Couple.

He was very involved in Emmanuel Episcopal Church, serving in many capacities over the span of his life. He taught Sunday school, trained acolytes, served as a lay reader, and Senior Warden of the Vestry.

Robert married Betty Ann Prall on December 12, 1959, and they would have celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary next month. He and Betty loved to travel and went on many trips all over the United States and Europe. 

He was predeceased by his mother and father, his sisters, Ruby and Rosalind, and his brothers Roy, Johnny and Jake, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Betty, daughter, Julie Jones Corley and her husband Phillip and son, Dr. Robert H. Jones, Jr. and his wife Alyssa. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Sam Corley, John Corley, Caroline Corley, Ben Corley, Addison Jones, Bauer Jones, and step-granddaughter, Alayna Parker. His survivors also include nephews, Dr. Johnny Jones, Jr., Ronny Jones, Jake Jones III, Dr. Tim Jones, David Jones, and niece, Molly Jones Hall.

Robert’s family would like to express their appreciation for the care given and the kindness shown to him by the Shawnee Memory Care staff during his time there.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at Walker Funeral Service on Wednesday, November 26th from 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 28, 2025, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 501 N. Broadway, followed by interment at Fairview Cemetery, Shawnee, with arrangements by Walker Funeral Service. 

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Shawnee, Oklahoma, or the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.