James Tilford Jones' Obituary
JONES, JAMES TILFORD of Dallas, Texas passed into our Lord’s hands on Friday, Feb. 7, 2014 at the age of 86. He was born in Harrison, Arkansas on May 27, 1927 to Earl and Dorothy Jones. He graduated from Sunset High in 1944. In 1948, he graduated from Texas A&M with a degree in Biology. He lettered on the Aggie Cross Country team. Tilford served in the Army during the Korean War. Edwina Sue Boggess of Lawrenceburg, KY became his bride on June 29, 1957. During his service in Korea, Tilford received the Combat Infantry Badge, Silver Star, Bronze Star (for Valor), Purple Heart, American Defense Medal, Korean Theater Medal with 5 Battle Stars, and the UN Ribbon. After retiring from the Army in 1954 as a Captain, Tilford began what would become a long and distinguished career in the food business. He worked for Pillsbury Foods for 14 years in New Albany, IN. He then joined Riviana Foods in Houston for four years. In 1973, the family moved to Dallas where he worked for Southland Corporation for 19 years as Manager of Corporate Quality Assurance until he retired in 1992. The industry still sought his expertise and so he began consulting and performing Food Safety Audits for various companies. A busy consulting business grew, but after 15 years at the age of 80 he officially retired. After sending their youngest child off to college, Tilford and Sue enjoyed travelling throughout the US and around the globe. After retirement, he began to spend time each week giving back to the veterans by volunteering at the VA Hospital, teaching high school students the reasons and significance of the Korean War, and presenting with the Tell America program via the Korean War Association. At the time of his death, he was a National Director of the KWVA, State Commander of the Texas KWVA, and Secretary for the Dallas KWVA, Chapter 270. He and Sue loved the Lord and served in local churches wherever they lived. Tilford served in the church as a deacon, as an elder, and in 2013 was named Elder Emeritus at Northway Christian Church. He was an Adult Sunday School teacher for more than 40 years and he and Sue are members of Northway Christian Church. Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Sue, and their 4 children – Mark and his wife, Linda and their 3 children, Heather, Chris and Marissa; Mary Fisher; Wallace and his wife, Linda and their 4 children, Michael, Kathryn, Patrick and Collin; Martha Beard and her husband, Marc and their 3 children, Amanda, Zachary and Matthew. Tilford was a loving father and grandfather who enjoyed doting on his 10 grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his whole family especially on holidays such as Christmas Eve when he always played Santa (hat and all) and on Easter when he generously filled eggs for the kids to hunt. Tilford is also survived by his sister, Rev. Mary Maxine Palmer and her husband, Rev. Dr. Ralph Palmer. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Rev. Dr. Kenneth Jones. Visitation will be at Restland Memorial Chapel Tuesday, February 11, 2014 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and a Service of Celebration, Remembrance and Thanksgiving will be at Northway Christian Church on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?