E. Holman Jones
Everett Holman Jones, known as E. Holman Jones (December 17, 1926 – January 12, 2014), was a businessman from Oakdale, Louisiana, who was a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from Allen and Vernon parishes. He served a single term from 1968 until 1972 during the second administration of Governor John McKeithen.[1]
Everett Holman Jones | |
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Louisiana State Representative from Allen and Vernon parishes | |
In office 1968–1972 | |
Preceded by | T.J. Strother (Allen Parish) Bert A. Adams (Vernon Parish) |
Succeeded by | James David Cain |
Personal details | |
Born | Oakdale, Louisiana, U.S. | December 17, 1926
Died | January 12, 2014 87) Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S. | (aged
Resting place | Oakdale Cemetery, Oakdale, Louisiana, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Patricia Roberts Jones (m. 1950-2014, his death) |
Children | 5 |
Parents | Jessie Holman Jones and Maggie Williams Jones |
Alma mater | Sowela Technical Community College |
Occupation | Businessman |
Military service | |
Branch/service | United States Navy |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Background
Jones was born in Oakdale, a city in Allen Parish in southwestern Louisiana, the older son of the late Jessie Holman Jones and the former Maggie Williams. His brother, John Roland Jones, preceded him in death. Jones was a descendant of the Thomas Welch family, one of the first seven families to settle Oakdale and to establish the First Baptist Church there. Jones graduated from Oakdale High School, where he played on the football team and was a captain in the Reserve Officer Training Corps. He was later the president of the alumni association. He was a radioman in the United States Navy during World War II. After the war, he attended what is now Sowela Technical Community College in Lake Charles.[2]
Career
For more than a half-century, Jones owned Magnolia Printing Company. For fifteen years, he was the publisher and owner of the Oakdale Journal and the Oakdale Beacon, which he began in 1960 with Harold H. Hudgins, Jr. (1916-2000),[3] as a free publication offering parish news and local advertising.[2][4]
In his one legislative term, Jones served alongside his fellow Democrat Buddy Leach, then of Leesville in Vernon Parish, who was from 1979 to 1981 a member of the United States House of Representatives from Louisiana's 4th congressional district.[1] Representative Jones secured scholarships for many students in Allen Parish, promoted the development of rural infrastructure through his service on the Long Range Highway Committee, and worked to secure the establishment of the 33rd Judicial District Court.[2]
Jones was a former member of the Jaycees and an officer of the Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce. He was affiliated with Lions International and the Masonic lodge. He was a member of the Oakdale Industrial Development Board. He was a long-term president of the Oakdale Recreation District board of directors. During his tenure in that capacity, two swimming pools and three ball fields were built and maintained. Teams often went to district and state playoffs.[2]
In 2000, Jones received the "Civic Service Award" from the Oakdale Area Chamber of Commerce. In 1992, he obtained the "State School Bell Award" from the Louisiana Press Association for the promotion of educational excellence. In 1999, he received the "Sam Walton Business Leader Award" named for Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. Jones and his wife together received the "Community Award for Outstanding Support" for the Allen Parish Sheriff's Department.[2]
Death
Jones died at age 87 in Lafayette General Hospital, Lafayette, Louisiana. He was married for more than 60 years to the former Patricia Roberts (born 1930), who survives him, along with their five children.[2]
References
- "Membership of the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2012" (PDF). legis.la.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 4, 2013. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
- "E. Holman Jones". Alexandria Daily Town Talk. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
- "Harold H. Hudgins, Jr". findagrave.com. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
- "Deaths Elsewhere: E. Holman Jones". Eunice Today. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved January 14, 2014.
Political offices | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by T. J. Strother (Allen Parish) Bert A. Adams (Vernon Parish) |
Louisiana State Representative from Allen and Vernon parishes
Everett Holman Jones |
Succeeded by James David Cain |