Nathaniel Garfield Jones Jr.'s Obituary
Nathaniel Garfield Jones, Jr., age 91, a resident of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, passed from this life Friday, December 15, 2023, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Nathaniel was born June 14, 1932 in Denver, Colorado, to Nathaniel G. and Ruth (Qualls) Jones. Nathaniel married the love of his life, Dorothy Sims February 22, 1959, in Denver, Colorado. There were married for 59 years before her passing September 24, 2018. He was called "Nat, "Nate', and another nickname lovingly bestowed by his wife only, "Jones."
Nate attended Central High School in Pueblo, Colorado, Colorado University in Boulder, Colorado, while play football (halfback) for the CU Buffalos, Southern Colorado University, Pueblo, Colorado, where he received a BA in physical education, and Adam State University in Alamosa, Colorado, where he earned a Master's Degree in HPER. Nate was drafted to active-duty September 22, 1952. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He played football has a halfback for the Navy. Nathaniel worked for the Sante Fe Railroad as Caboose Captain. Then he worked at the Colorado State Hospital as a Clinical Therapist in the geriatric's treatment center. Nathaniel lived in Denver, Colorado, Pueblo, Colorado, Newton, Kansas, and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. His longest residences were in Pueblo, Colorado and then in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Nothing could sway him from leaving Colorado except for the birth of his first grandchild.
Nate was very athletic. He loved sports. In high school he lettered in 4 sports, including football, baseball, basketball, and track. His favorite was football. Later in life he played on a men's softball tam, loved camping and fishing, and enjoyed skiing. He loved attending every event that his children and then, grandchildren were involved in, which included football, baseball, basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer, track, ballet, dance, piano recitals, and marching bands. He started a youth basketball league through his church, Pueblo Christian Center, in Pueblo, Colorado. Throughout the years he coached a variety of basketball youth teams, including his grandson's recreational basket ball team and, as a Tulsa Dream Center basketball coach. He ran the Tulsa Run, 13.2 miles, a couple of times when he was 74 and 76 years.
Nathaniel was a Christian man, saved by the Grace of God.
John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." was one of his favorite verses. He loved Jesus and knew that Jesus loved him. He loved his family and was there for them. He served through coaching, driving a church bus, prison ministry, and was a Gideon. He had a great sense of fun teaching the grandchildren how to fish, going on field trips with them, playing with them during birthday parties and other times. He had swag, suit and tie prominent. "Dressed to the nines", as my brother would say.
He is survived by his sister: Lorraine E. Hobbs, who is 99 years young; children: Robin Jones, Kim Terry and husband Anthony, and Valerie McLean and husband Patrick; grandchildren: Olivia Terry, Jon-Michael Terry, Hadassah Terry, Logan Jones, Nathan McLean, and Allexis McLean; niece: Janice Simms; and nephew: Jimmy Simms and wife Rebecca. Nathaniel is preceded in death by his parents Nathaniel and Ruth Jones; and his wife in 2018: Dorothy Jones.
A celebration of life service will be held 3:00 PM, Friday, December 29, 2023 at the Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. A reception will be held immediately following internment.
Memorial donations can be made in Nathaniel's honor and name to Tulsa Dream Center, 200 W 46th St N, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74126. The Center's phone number is 918-43-9984.
We would to thank Stonehaven Memory Care and Seasons Hospice for their loving care of our dad.
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