James Lee Jones, 96, of Katy, Texas, passed away peacefully, Thursday, November 26, 2020 at the Northeast Louisiana Veteran’s Home, in Monroe, Louisiana. He was preceded in death by his parents, James W. Jones Jr. and Elora Estell Ferguson and his older sister, Ernestine Jones Cook Moffett. Survivors include nephew Marvin Cook, great-nieces, Cherie Henderson (Scott), Cathy Williams Ervin, Celeste Dodson (Kerry), great-nephew, Jim Cook, and numerous Great-Great nieces and nephews. He loved his many dear friends, among them Rus Watkins, Martha Green, and Martha Groth.
James loved his family, first and foremost, and was especially proud of his father, who was a 10th Judicial District Judge in Natchitoches parish for 16 years. A great storyteller, James would often tell World War II stories of his time served in the US Navy on the aircraft carrier The USS Hornet. He gave Lt. Colonel James Doolittle “two thumbs up” as Doolittle took off from the Hornet for one of the famous Doolittle raids. James once told Lt. Colonel James Doolittle he was going to salute him as a 4-star general one day, and when he and the General met again, James was able to fulfill that promise. James served in the Guadalcanal jungle, overcoming both typhoid and malaria while there. One of his greatest joys was keeping up with those friends he served with. James loved piloting small planes and working at the West Houston Airport as security.
The family asks that memorial donations be made to the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum in Monroe, Louisiana
Online registry/condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com
Mulhearn Funeral Home
Sterlington Road, Monroe