Dr. James Harvey Jones

December 18, 1939 – January 9, 2025

Dr. James Harvey Jones, a man of faith who trusted in Jesus Christ as his Savior, was called home on January 9, 2025, at the age of 85. His family takes great comfort knowing he is now in Heaven, experiencing the eternal joy and love of God.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm Olanger Jones and Willie Maude "Tiny" Eatmon Jones.

He is survived by his loving wife, Betty Gwynn Jones of Gulfport, MS; daughters, Gia (Jay) and Julie; sons, James (Vicki) and Jason (Erin); and grandsons, Jack and Dylan. All of his family members reside in the Houston area.

Although James spent 56 years living in Texas, his heart always belonged to his home state of Mississippi. His fond memories of his childhood in Columbia, Mississippi were never far from the forefront of his mind.

James was always driven and determined. He excelled academically while holding part-time jobs, including working alongside his dad in the warehouse for Bill's Dollar Store. As the first member of his family to attend college, James graduated in just 3 years from the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) as a pre-med major. During his time there, he was a member of the ATO fraternity and the Air Force ROTC. James also joined the Baptist Student Union where his faith and musical talent led him to be a song leader for a three person ministry team traveling to small country churches. He delighted in leading worship songs and meeting new people. Making connections with people came very naturally to him because of his outgoing and engaging personality. As an older teenager and college student, James also served as the song leader sometimes at North Columbia Baptist Church.

While in medical school at the University of Mississippi in Jackson, James met his future bride and lifelong sweetheart, Betty, who was a nursing student. After earning his medical degree and completing his internship in Chattanooga, Tennessee, James served as a medical doctor in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. His first assignment took Captain Jones and his small family to Germany. Later, while serving at a field hospital in Vietnam, James discovered his true medical calling: radiology. His final Army assignment brought him and his family to Fort Carson in Colorado Springs.

After an honorable discharge from the Army, James was accepted into a radiology residency program at M.D. Anderson and St. Joseph's Hospitals in Houston. Believing in the opportunities the city could provide, James relocated his family to Houston, where he embarked on a successful career as a radiologist lasting more than 40 years. He practiced at Northwest Memorial Hospital, Parkway Hospital, and Memorial City Hospital, earning admiration for his medical expertise and sense of humor.

James and Betty were long-time members of Champion Forest Baptist Church, where James shared his love of music by playing the trumpet in the church orchestra. A talented musician, he also discovered a knack for playing the harmonica during his service in Vietnam. Just 10 days before his passing, he was playing several hymns on his harmonica.

James had a special compassion for animals and welcomed many homeless cats into his heart and home over the years. His all-time favorite was Bear, a hefty 20-pound cat with long, thick black fur and big teeth, who could have a fierce appearance but always had a teddy-bear like heart.

In their later years, James and Betty enjoyed traveling together, with several memorable trips to Alaska. They also made their way to Europe, Colorado, California, and Virginia. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by retracing the steps of their 1962 honeymoon in Tennessee.

James spent 45 happy years with his family in the "castle house," his dream home in northwest Houston. In this home, the family celebrated holidays, birthdays, graduations, marriages, and many other special memories like eating delicious burgers or steaks served up by James, the grill master.

In 2018, James and Betty moved to The Village in The Woodlands. James continued for a while serving as the song leader for Sunday church services. They enjoyed life together for the next seven years until his passing. They were married for almost 63 years.

James's legacy lives on in the lives of his family, his contributions to the medical field, and the countless memories shared by those who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of James Jones can be made to a local animal organization that was instrumental in rehoming their 4 cats before they moved into assisted living: Volunteers for Animal Protection (VAP) https://www.vapadoptions.org/donate or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research https://www.michaeljfox.org/ .