Official Obituary of
Gail Preston Jones
October 4, 1942 ~ May 18, 2025 (age 82) 82 Years Old
Gail Jones Obituary
Gail Preston Jones was born on the fourth day of October, in the year 1942, to Wendell and Dorothy (Fariss) Jones, at Elk City, Oklahoma. On the eighteenth day of May, 2025, he took his final breath in this world, and went on to see his savior face to face. Gail lived a very full life, loving and well-loved.
Gail grew to manhood in the rural community of Leedey, Oklahoma. His elementary education was split between Leedey and Weatherford, Oklahoma schools, where he attended while his dad attended Southwestern State College. Graduating from Leedy High, he experienced his freshman college year at Southwestern State College prior to transferring to Oklahoma State University where he completed an undergraduate, as well as a Master of Science degree in Engineering and Technology Management.
Following college graduation, Gail accepted employment with General Dynamics, Fort Worth, Texas. Later, moving closer to home, he began a teaching assignment at the Southern Oklahoma Technology Center, Ardmore, Oklahoma. Then on to teach many years at Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma, where he retired.
While attending OSU, Gail acquired a great friend who had a younger sister, Sandra Sue Thompson. Sandra became his bride following her Oklahoma State University graduation. Gail and Sandra maintained the same Duncan, Oklahoma, address for all but three months of their forty-eight-year marriage.
Gail never had idle hands. He always had a project, or two, in various stages of completion. His farm upbringing was forever in his blood, and he found great joy in restoring vintage tractors and farm equipment. He consistently used the restored equipment to maintain his own acreage. Never meeting a stranger, or forgetting a name, Gail also enjoyed conversation; keeping up with his former students, his family, as well as his 1960 Leedey High graduating class. Becoming a Christian at a young age, he remained a faithful Duncan First Baptist Church servant, serving as a teacher and benefactor for more than forty years.
Gail and Sandra did not have children, but Gail held a great interest in the activities of his niece and nephew. He welled with pride when the two great-nephews chose to attend his alma mater, and to see their photos and scholarship accolades in the OSU magazine on several occasions.
Gail was predeceased by his parents, his wife, his nephew, William Shawn Whorton, his brother-in-law, William Don (Bill) Whorton, and his in-laws.
He is survived by his sister, Helen Jones King (Jimmy), and a niece, Shellie (Curtis) Thornton. He is also survived by his great nephews: Collin (Karissa) Thornton and Garrett Thornton.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to charities of choice. Services were handled by Whitt Funeral Home of Duncan. Burial will take place at the Mountain View, OK cemetery. A private family service was held.
Online condolences may be made at www.whittfh.com.
Gail grew to manhood in the rural community of Leedey, Oklahoma. His elementary education was split between Leedey and Weatherford, Oklahoma schools, where he attended while his dad attended Southwestern State College. Graduating from Leedy High, he experienced his freshman college year at Southwestern State College prior to transferring to Oklahoma State University where he completed an undergraduate, as well as a Master of Science degree in Engineering and Technology Management.
Following college graduation, Gail accepted employment with General Dynamics, Fort Worth, Texas. Later, moving closer to home, he began a teaching assignment at the Southern Oklahoma Technology Center, Ardmore, Oklahoma. Then on to teach many years at Cameron University, Lawton, Oklahoma, where he retired.
While attending OSU, Gail acquired a great friend who had a younger sister, Sandra Sue Thompson. Sandra became his bride following her Oklahoma State University graduation. Gail and Sandra maintained the same Duncan, Oklahoma, address for all but three months of their forty-eight-year marriage.
Gail never had idle hands. He always had a project, or two, in various stages of completion. His farm upbringing was forever in his blood, and he found great joy in restoring vintage tractors and farm equipment. He consistently used the restored equipment to maintain his own acreage. Never meeting a stranger, or forgetting a name, Gail also enjoyed conversation; keeping up with his former students, his family, as well as his 1960 Leedey High graduating class. Becoming a Christian at a young age, he remained a faithful Duncan First Baptist Church servant, serving as a teacher and benefactor for more than forty years.
Gail and Sandra did not have children, but Gail held a great interest in the activities of his niece and nephew. He welled with pride when the two great-nephews chose to attend his alma mater, and to see their photos and scholarship accolades in the OSU magazine on several occasions.
Gail was predeceased by his parents, his wife, his nephew, William Shawn Whorton, his brother-in-law, William Don (Bill) Whorton, and his in-laws.
He is survived by his sister, Helen Jones King (Jimmy), and a niece, Shellie (Curtis) Thornton. He is also survived by his great nephews: Collin (Karissa) Thornton and Garrett Thornton.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to charities of choice. Services were handled by Whitt Funeral Home of Duncan. Burial will take place at the Mountain View, OK cemetery. A private family service was held.
Online condolences may be made at www.whittfh.com.
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