Max Jones

Max Elwyn Jones was born on July 17, 1947 in Abilene, TX and went to be with the Lord on August 10, 2024 at Anson General Hospital in Anson, TX at the age of 77. He was raised in Stamford, TX and graduated from Stamford High School in 1965. Max graduated from Howard Payne College in Brownwood, TX where he also met the love of his life, Rita, during his senior year. Max and Rita were married on December 29, 1970 and had 50 beautiful years together.

Max coached in Eden before being drafted in the Army. While stationed in Hawaii, Max received his Master’s in Education from Pepperdine University in California in 1974. After serving in the Army, Max enjoyed several years of coaching in Plainview, Spur, Crane and Stamford, coaching football, basketball and track before retiring in 1986. In 1984, he also decided to go into the family business of farming. Although he farmed for the rest of his career (28 years), he soon found that farming would not sustain his family and went back to teaching. As a math teacher, Max taught in Anson, Rotan and ended his career at Cisco Junior College in Abilene. Always a coach at heart, Max loved being on the field at football games. He was the statistician for the Anson Tigers for 29 years.

One of the most enjoyable hobbies for Max was playing golf. Healso enjoyed history and traveling. He always made it a priority to take the family on a vacation every summer going to historical places throughout the country and camping along the way. Even though Max loved coaching, playing golf and spending time with family, he knew the importance of knowing Jesus Christ, serving Him and that our purpose is to glorify God. Max demonstrated throughout his life that God was the highest priority and strived to let God lead and guide him in all things. He and Rita raised their children in the ways of the Lord and each have submitted to Him with their whole heart, and in turn, are striving to teach their children this foundation in Christ.

Max was a leader and servant of the community. He served as Treasurer for First Baptist Church, Anson - 17 yrs; Treasurer for West Central Baptist Assoc - 13 yrs; Treasurer for the Anson Golf Club - 10 yrs; Anson School Board - 9 yrs (6 yrs as President); Farmers Co-op Gin Board – 9 yrs (1 yr as President); Executive Boards for Double Mountain Baptist Assoc, Big Country Baptist Assembly and Baptist General Convention of Texas. Max was a deacon for First Baptist Church, Anson, and a dedicated child of God.

Max is preceded in death by his wife, Rita; his parents N. D. (Doc) & Josie Jones; and 1 grandson, Ryan Hartman.

He is survived by 3 children – daughter Caryn and husband Rob Hartman of Anson, son Bryan and wife Lori Jones of Papua New Guinea, and daughter Angela and husband Mark Barefield of Burkburnett; 10 grandchildren – Caralyn, Cathryn & Cristyn Hartman, Lily, Kaylee, Riley & Bryce Jones and Levi, Kodi & Luke Barefield; 5 brothers – Delton and wife Joni Jones of Austin, Ron and wife Trude Jones of Wichita Falls, Larry and wife Linda Jones of Lake Kiowa, Steve and wife Jan Jones of McKinney and Tim and wife Kim Jones of Ft Worth; 3 aunts – Dorothy Bailey of Ranch Cordova, California, Ruth and husband Robert Isaacs of Jacksonville, and Betty and husband Tom Keenum of Abilene and so many beloved friends, brothers/sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.