Tom Jones was born in San Antonio, Texas
on November 14, 1920. Descendant of a Texas pioneer family, his Texas
ancestry is second to none. His “Tannehill” line was among the
first pioneers in Travis County and his “Barkley” line had as
many men killed in Republic of Texas combat as any other Texas
family. Jones was a combat veteran of World War II in the South
Pacific Theater while serving in the US Marine Corps' III Mar. Div.
For some years he maintained a studio in San Antonio’s LaVillita,
teaching evening classes while developing his own talents. In later
years, Jones lived and worked in California, designing, carving and
painting historical places. While
working in Los Angeles as an Artist consultant (and part time body guard) for
Comedian Charlie Weaver (Cliff Arquette), he was instrumental in
establishing two Civil War Museums, one in Gettesburg and one in New
Orleans in the early 1960's.
Tom’s relentless search for knowledge,
coupled with a near photographic mind, has resulted in a vast store
of research on such far reaching subjects as the Texas cowboy, wooden
wall navies, the ancient Celts, American Civil War, African wildlife,
military uniforms, art history, medieval life, etc. etc. His
personal library contains over 3,000 select volumes.
Tom has been sketching for 50 years to
record his experiences as a cowboy, aircraft mechanic, WW II era U.
S. Marine, dirt farmer, ice man, art school director, museum builder
and general researcher. The mediums of wood, rock, cement, clay, oil,
watercolor, pen and ink are all familiar to him. No less than 300
collections contain his sculpture and painting. His art reflects an
earthiness born of long experience at grass root levels.
Tom
passed away 12/15/2000. He is survived by: his wife wife of 53 years,
Marie (since deceased at New Braunfels in 2003), his Daughters Nonnie
Vance of Lowell, Arkansas; Lavinia Straka of Sacramento, Calilfornia;
his sons, William Jones of New Braunfels and Charles Jones of
Mission Viejo, California.
http://southerngrace.biz/tom_jones/
