Marvin Clay Jones, Jr.

Marvin "Clay" Jones, Jr. passed away at home on Sunday May 28th. He was born February 1st, 1949, in Corpus Christi, Texas to Marvin Clay Jones Sr. and Ruby Mae Davis Jones, both of Dallas. He was preceded in death by his father, "Cactus", on June 14th, 2000, his stepmother "Nao" on September 13th, 2002, and later by his mother, Ruby, on January 5th, 2021. Uncles Leroy, Kenneth, Louis, and Gerald, as well as his aunt Thetus, preceded him in death, as did cousins Linda Jones and Kip Routon.

Clay is survived by wife, Jane, of Comanche, Texas and his daughter, Pamela "Pebbles" Frazior, and son-in-law, Tre, of Colorado Springs, Colorado and son, Clay Jones III, and daughter-in-law, Lacy-Mari, of Ennis, Texas, as well as a stepson, Todd Stanton, of Midlothian, Texas and step-daughter, Shannon Pierson and husband, James, of Wylie, Texas. He claimed and loved eight grandchildren all told: Hayley, Forrest, Kaylee, Emily, Wayne, William, Charlie, and Evah, scattered across North Texas and Colorado, as well as two great-grandchildren, Skyla and Waylen. Also surviving Clay are his sister Pam Schoemig and brother-in-law and friend, Tom Schoemig, of Pinckney, MI, nephews Chad Thompson and Jacob Clarke, who reside in Michigan, and numerous cousins. Clay might also say he was survived by Uncle Evan and Aunt Pearl, hailing from Kentucky and San Antonio, respectively.

He will be remembered best by his love of all things Texas, black coffee, a few other brisk beverages, native plants, and animals, and enjoying the company of his friends and family. He truly enjoyed time outside with nature and navigating the dirt roads of the family ranch with his trusty sidekick, Sniper. Her vigilant watch from the four-wheeler ensured they were always safe from potential dangers. Clay grew up in Oak Cliff, a neighborhood in Dallas, Texas, attending Sunset High School, where he graduated in 1967. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1972, as a member of the Security Police, and served at Rimini AFB in Rimini, Italy, until his honorable discharge in 1976. His post-military career included more security-related positions, including some time in Egypt's Sinai Field Mission with E-Systems, a brief stint operating a drilling rig for Southwestern Laboratories, and finishing his career as a member of the security team at Gary Job Corps., in San Marcos, Texas, from which he retired.

Life after work was certainly where he found the most joy, ultimately retiring to his father's home in Comanche, Texas to be near the family ranch that he held so dear, visiting to survey and enjoy often, spending untold hours just watching and listening. An avid hunter, fisherman, and general outdoorsman as a young man, he retired his hunting rifles, fishing poles, and to a lesser degree, his many side-by-side double barrel shotguns. As the years passed, it became clear to all that his interest was less in filling his tags than in sharing his time, access, and understanding of the critters and features of Sipe Springs and Gorman, Texas with anyone who took an interest. Scouring the ground for artifacts was a love of his as well, collecting every arrowhead, fossilized crinoid, piece of petrified wood, and interesting rock in sight. He enjoyed slow drives along the farm-to-market roads versus the freeway, to take in all the sights and sounds, never once in a hurry. He ironically loved NASCAR, though. Colorful storytelling of a life well lived, sprinkled with unforgettable jokes, may have been his greatest gift and passion: one that will live on with his legacy through those fortunate to have collected a few of them. His generosity was admirable, and he was happy to share his experiences and possessions with others.

Clay spent the twilight of his life with his wife, Jane, whom he met in 1986 and married on April 16th, 2011, surrounded by friends and family at his mother's home in Dallas, Texas.

The family invites you to visit at the Comanche Funeral Home on Friday, June 2nd from 6-8pm and a celebration of life will be held at Board Church in Comanche, Texas on Saturday, June 3rd at 11:00 am, with interment to follow, across the road, at Board Church Cemetery.




To order flowers, please contact our local florists at Comanche Florist (325) 356-9377, Johnson Florist (325) 356-2220, or La-Te-Da Florist (325) 356-0329.