November 22 1952 September 23 2020
Roland’s Obituary Roland Dwayne Jones passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2020 in Denton, TX from complications after cardiac arrest following recent surgery and several years of ill health. Roland was born in Wichita Falls, TX on November 22, 1952 to Nolan and Fleta Jones. Following graduation from Denton High in 1971, Roland enlisted in the USAF and served 20 years as a Security Policeman. His first assignment was to Turkey, and upon returning to the States, he married his high school sweetheart, Virginia McClung (DHS grad 1972) on March 23, 1973. She accompanied him the rest of his military career: Dyess AFB (1973-76), Andrews AFB (1976-1980), Dyess AFB (1980-86), Misawa AB, Japan (1986-90), and F. E. Warren AFB (1990-91). He retired from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant and was honorably discharged in 1991. During his military career, Roland (aka Rawhide) made deep life-long friendships, especially with his military brother, Dan Johnson (SMSgt retired), and all the troops of the 96th SPS of Dyess AFB. Roland and Dan were two of four flight chiefs referred to as the WHEEHA Gang. Roland developed a mission statement for this group and instilled it in the rest of the gang: “We Help Every Enlisted Handle All.” Hence WHEEHA! During their military years, Roland and Virginia were blessed with two beautiful children, April and Matthew, and the family enjoyed experiencing the culture of each assignment. After retiring they returned to Denton, finished raising their children and Roland began a second career working for the Denton County Sheriff’s Department as a jailer for six years. In 1997 he felt called to leave that position to manage Denton’s Teen Court program. He had a passion for helping young people and impacted the lives of hundreds of local youth. Denton’s Teen Court was rated exemplary at state and national levels. With the help of many adult and teenage volunteers he directed the program for 21 years, finally retiring for good in 2018. Roland had a deep respect for God, his family, veterans and POW’s. For years in preparation for Memorial Day celebrations, he and his Teen Court youth along with many adult volunteers would place an American flag on the grave of every veteran interred at Roselawn Cemetery. This important tradition continues because of loyal and patriotic friends, the Felipe and Priscilla Ibarra family. As Papa, Roland took spoiling his grandchildren and then sending them home very seriously, as if it were his constitutional right. This caused some parental grief, of course! Roland is preceded in death by his parents. Roland is survived by his wife of 47 years, Virginia; daughter April and husband Chester Baker of Lake Kiowa; and son Matthew Jones of Denton. Three grandchildren: Landry Nolan Baker, Savanna Joy Baker, and Trenton Brue Jones; two sisters Paula Mathis and husband Paul of Jasper, AR, and Kathy Clark of Boyd; niece Tina and husband Jason Stanton of Azle, and many other nieces and nephews. Pallbearers: Matt Jones, Chester Baker, Michael McClung, Will Stanton, Dax Winchester, Aaron Collins, Felipe Ibarra and Kelly Braudrick. Honorary Pallbearers: Dan Johnson, Joe Bridges, Nat Mills, Ken McClung, Paul Hinson, Greg Edwards, Tim Tarlton and Larry Candler. Visitation will be held Friday, September 25, 2020 at Gateway United Baptist Church in Denton from 6 to 8 PM. Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Saturday also at Gateway with Pastor Buddy Owens officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park in Denton with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Roland’s honor to Gateway United Baptist Church Children’s Program, to any Veteran’s program, to the Special Olympics or Autism Speaks programs. To send a flower arrangement to the family of Roland Dwayne Jones, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store. Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Roland Dwayne Jones November 22 1952 September 23 2020.
Bill DeBerry Funeral Directors
Death notice for the town of: Denton, state: Texas