Earl Jones

Earl Jones was born on December 28, 1937 in Colfax, Louisiana to the parents of the late Israel and Jessie Aaron Jones.  He attended Mary E. Graham High School and later attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  He also attended the Houston Community College in Houston, Texas from 1971 to 1974 and received an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice.

Earl entered the U. S. Army on June 2, 1956 at Ft. Chaffee, Arkansas for basic training. His second eight weeks was parachutist training at Ft. Bragg, NC.  On February 22, 1957 he was transferred to Schofield Barracks Hawaii, 25th Infantry Division Delta Company, 1st Battalion 21 Gimlets.  On July 21, 1957, Earl was transferred to 101st Airborne Division, Ft. Campbell, KY Delta Company, 501st Battalion then to Company A 1st Battalion 327th Infantry until May 1965. As a part of the Company A 1st Battalion 327th Infantry Division, he was shipped to the Vietnam War on the ELTING that took 22 days to travel to Vietnam.  On May 22, 1966, he was Honorably Discharged in FT Dix, NJ.  He earned the Parachutist Badge, Good Conduct Medal (GCMDL) (2nd AWARD), Vietnamese Service Medal (VNSM) and Combat Infantry Badge (CIB).

Earl moved to Houston, Texas in June 1966.  On January 13, 1969, he joined the Houston Police Department (HPD) as a Patrolman.  On January 1, 1974, he was assigned to HPD’s Recruiting Division until 1985.  In 1985 he was transferred to HPD’s Internal Affairs Division until 1992.  He was then reassigned to HPD’s Recruiting Division and retired November 16, 2004.  On January 1, 2005, he continued his law enforcement career at Harris County Constable Precinct #7 (Constable May Walker) until June 30, 2016.

On September 4, 1971, he married Pearlene Matlock.  To this union one daughter was born, Natalie.  Upon moving to Houston, he became a member of Holman Street Baptist Church under the leadership of late Rev. Manson Johnson.  Later in life, he became a member of First Metropolitan Church under the leadership of Bishop John D. Ogletree, Jr. where he remained a faithful member until his demise.

Earl was a proud member of the Screaming Eagles 101st Airborne Division, Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Houston Police Officers Union (HPOU), Houston Police Retired Officers Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Houston Police Post 6010, and Light of Day Lodge #124, F. & A.M.

On December 22, 2022, Earl received his wings and peacefully departed this life surrounded by his loving family.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, 3 sisters: Thelma Watkins, Louella Boone and Agnes Tolbert; and 3 brothers: Clinton Richardson, Izeal “Ike” Jones and Don Ray Jones.

He leaves to forever cherish his memories: his loving daughters, Natalie Jones Thomas (Jumetrius); Argil Peavy; Marilyn Claiborne (Willie); a special friend, Darlene Davenport; 4 sisters, Willie D. Brown “Brownie”, Maple Phillips, Clara Neville and Helen Jones; 2 brothers, Charley “Chuck” Jones and John D. Jones; 9 grandchildren, Katelyn, Ashley, Natasha, Eugene, Quantarious, Erika, Andreia, Jasmine and Isaac; great grandchildren; 2 God daughters, Jerrica Neville and Amber Evans; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.