Roll Call Tribute

Barry Ronald Jones 

September 17, 1938 - July 12, 2025 

Barry Ronald Jones, retired teacher and coach, age 86 of Forney, Texas passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Born in Gatesville, Texas, Barry grew up in the small farming community of Turnersville, Texas as the only child of Orville and Verna Lee (Reesing) Jones. Barry was blessed to have a loving, strong extended family who instilled positive character traits. He helped with farming and livestock chores, but Saturday afternoons were reserved for going "to town" to watch a movie and enjoy a good supper afterwards.

Barry graduated at Turnersville High School as Valedictorian in a class of 13. He was a star athlete for his 6-man football team; his coach had a nickname for every player and Barry's was Bruno. Barry left for college at Tarleton State University for 2 years and then headed to the Holylands (AKA Texas A&M University, College Station) to complete his Bachelor of Science degree. Before beginning his professional career, he served in the National Guard and was called to active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962.

Loving sports so much, it was no surprise that Barry chose to be a teacher and coach. He was recruited to go to Fort Stockton ISD by one of his Turnersville friends, where he taught for 11 years. During that time, he found his life mate to join him. At the Dairy Queen parking lot in Gatesville, Barry met his future bride, Linda, and enticed her with the pickup line of "Come over here, I've got some war stories to tell you." It worked, he persuaded her to leave her college, get married, and move to Fort Stockton. Those were good years. They would then welcome two sons, Casey and Corby. Barry also completed his Master of Education at Sul Ross University during their time in West Texas.

In 1974, the Jones family moved to Forney, TX where Barry and Linda continued serving in education. Barry became a vocational coordinator for special needs students at Rockwall High School. He formed lasting relationships with students and staff, and still maintained contact with some of them.

In 1979, the family welcomed another baby son, Clay. Clay was everybody’s little brother. Clay lost his life in 1995 at 16 in a freak lightning storm while practicing football. That incident was life-altering, but with God's help, our community, church, devoted family and friends loving and supporting us– we moved forward.

Barry's favorite activities were high school sports, AGGIE football games, trips to Ruidoso, New Mexico, and family gatherings.

Barry leaves to cherish his memory with wife Linda, sons Casey (Klaudia) Corby (Raye), granddaughter, Alana Clay Jones, sisters in law Nancy (Mike) Oats, Sandra (John) Mulloy, nephew, Dr Sam Oats (Blanca) the army of his sons friends, and his bonus family, Justin (Brittany), Taylar (Korrey) Dakota (Mandi) and the "Noisy 9" children.

A memorial service for Barry will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 25, 2025 at Jones Intermediate school, visitation will start one hour prior at 10:00 a.m.