- Date Of Birth: November 11, 1924
- Date Of Death: January 6, 2017
- State: Texas
Clifford Dale Jones of Belton passed away peacefully January 6, 2017 at the Temple Meridian. He was 92 years old. He was born in Scotland County, Missouri near the township of Union on November 11, 1924 to Glen H. and Gladys Howe Jones.
Upon graduating from high school in Indianola, Iowa he joined the Navy where he served as a diesel mechanic and later as cook aboard ship. In addition to his military duties, he became the welter-weight boxing champion of the Eastern Sea Frontier Fleet. One of the most notable events of his navy career was surviving the great Atlantic Hurricane of September 1944. Five navy ships were sunk and his was one of two that returned damaged.
After his honorable discharge, he moved to Minneapolis, MN where he met Ellaline Davis to whom he was married for 67 years until her passing in 2013. In 1948, the family moved to Belton, Texas to join the family business. Soon thereafter, he became involved in the Belton City Council for 14 years and served as Mayor for two years. His public service continued as Bell County Commissioner until 1993 during which time he was a strong supporter of local law enforcement and member of the Bell County Sheriff’s posse.
Well known for his adventurous nature, Clifford enjoyed basketball and boxing in his earliest years, adding water sports, flying airplanes and hot air balloons following his move to Texas. During retirement, he enjoyed spending time traveling with Elly in their motorhome all around the country and Canada.
He is survived by two daughters Cathy Curtis and husband Lon of Round Rock, Anne Sanderford and husband Jamie of Belton, and son Steve Jones and wife Mary Ann of Belton. His nine grandchildren include John Parker (MeiLing), Robert Parker, Jennifer Putnam (Zack), Jeff Jones (Carrie), Michael Jones (Molly), Alisa Leinart (Blake), Sarah Sanderford, Erin Hyden (Trey) and Brian Sanderford (Noelle).
He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren including Owen Jones, Grace, Drew, and Gwen Leinart, Elizabeth and Aubrey Jones, Easton and Marshall Putnam, and Hazel Sanderford. He is also survived by three brothers; Clyde Jones of Belton, Richard (Dick) Jones of Cleveland, Tennessee, and Lance Jones of Austin and two sisters; Sally Parks of Norman, Oklahoma and Jessie Jones of Seattle, Washington.
