Thomas Laster Jones

  Thomas Laster Jones, age 72, of Millsap, Texas, slipped peacefully into the arms of His Creator on Saturday, April 13th, in Weatherford, Texas. 

  A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 27th, at 10:00 a.m., at the Oak Ridge Church of Christ, in Willow Park, Texas. The family will hold a private burial service at a later date. 

  Known to friends and colleagues as Tommy, Tom to his brothers, sister, nephews, nieces, and cousins, and Pa to his beloved grandchildren, he was born on April 21st, 1952, in Brownwood, Texas, to Jim and Marjie Jones. The third of four children, Tommy graduated from Winters High School and later earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Southwest Texas State University (which he refused to call Texas State University, even after they asked him to). Tommy married the love of his life, Becky (Simpson), on September 15th, 1973, and spent every day loving her a little more than he did the day before.

  A life-long member of the Churches of Christ, Tommy served as an Elder of the Broadway Church in Lubbock, Texas, for over ten years, before relocating to the Weatherford area, where he was a faithful member of the Oak Ridge Church of Christ. Tommy was a dedicated Christian, and sought to follow the commands with promise: to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. He found fulfillment in his ministry to the less fortunate at Carpenter’s Church in Lubbock, where he befriended and cared for those whom the Lord would have sought out. 

  Tommy spent his professional life in service to others, first as an officer with the Midland Police Department, and later with the Midland County Sheriff’s Office and the Crane County Sheriff’s Office. Starting as a deputy with the Crane County Sheriff’s Office, Tommy rose to the position of Chief Deputy before being elected as the Sheriff of Crane County, a position in which he served from 1993-1996. Tommy later joined the Texas Mutual Insurance Company, where he served as an Investigator until his retirement in 2021. He was known professionally as a man of the highest integrity, who served with honor, bravery, kindness, and distinction. 

  Tommy was a man of multiple talents and interests, including, but not limited to: officiating high school football and volleyball, raising hogs and cows, breeding miniature schnauzers, camping at Horde’s Creek Lake, capturing and housing wayward bears in his garage, building literally everything, and purchasing hundreds of screwdrivers that he would quickly misplace. He was an irascible prankster, and loved being on the giving and receiving ends of gag gifts. While these activities brought him enjoyment and fulfillment, Tommy’s greatest joys were spent with his children and grandchildren. The times he was happiest were those spent when his entire family were together, eating, playing games, retelling old stories, and laughing until they cried. He loved sports and being in the stands to cheer for his children as they played football, basketball, track and field, and volleyball. His joy increased even more in the past few years as he cheered on his grandchildren in basketball, cheer, volleyball, track and field, baseball, and swimming events, as well as orchestra, band, and choir concerts and theatre productions. While his loud, booming voice and ear-shattering whistle will not be missed by officials and those unfortunate enough to sit in his proximity, it will be deeply missed by those who loved him. 

  Tommy is survived by his bride of over 50 years, Becky; his children, Mykal (Traci) Jones of College Station, Texas, J. (Tiffany) Jones of Millsap, Texas, Josh (Erin) Jones of Weatherford, Texas, and Mindee Lazo of Brownwood, Texas; bonus son, Shane (Jennifer) Bates of Celina, Texas; his grandchildren, Luke (Dani) Jones, Emma (Chase) Jones, Julia Jones, Kellen Jones, Avery Jones, Bonnie Jones, Cole Jones, Chloe Jones, Maeghan Reyna, Noelle Jones, Eli Lazo, and Obi Lazo; great-grandson, Oliver Jones; sister, Florette Stirman of Brownwood, Texas; brother, Leroy Jones of Stephenville, Texas; a host of nephews, nieces, and cousins; and an innumerable cast of close friends who became family. 

  Tommy was preceded in death by his parents; older brother, Paul Jones; and twin granddaughters, Maya and Bella Lazo.

  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Parker County Center of Hope or your local food bank.