Charles Floyd Jones

Charles Floyd Jones, Sr., 89, passed away quietly on Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Herriman, Utah after a long, difficult battle with COPD. Charles (or Chuck to his fishing buddies) was born in Marshall, Texas on September 18, 1935 to Jewel Onieda Britt Jones and Walter Martin Jones, Sr.

 He grew up in East Texas, playing with his brother Walt, fishing anywhere he could find a water hole and working with his dad building roads all over Texas. He spoke often of being from ’Poor Dirt Farmers’ and fondly remembered traveling from the farm to the market on the back of the old family horse to sell what little they could manage to grow in that red East Texas dirt.

 He was proud of his father’s Navy military service as a SeaBee during World War II and followed in his footsteps by enlisting in the Marine Corps; serving from 1955 to 1959. Charles worked hard in his duties in the 1st Marine Division, 3rd Amphibious Tractor Battalion. He was injured and lost function of his right eye while repairing a trac on one of the vehicles, and was classified as a Disabled American Veteran. 

On October 19, 1958, he married his sweetheart Peggy Lou Bass in California. She was his loving partner for over 65 years. In January 1959, Charles and Peggy moved to Phoenix, Arizona and Charles began his Civil Service career as a Letter Carrier for the United States Postal Service. During their time in Arizona, they were excited to begin building their family consisting of four loving children. Charles relocated his family, transferring with USPS to Austin, Texas in 1964 to be closer to his parents. He received several service awards during his tenure, which he was proud of. He retired after more than 35 years to enjoy time with his family and friends. 

Fishing was a Jones family tradition and to say that Charles was an avid fisherman is an understatement. If he could be on the water, in a fishing boat, casting a plastic worm, a chartreuse lure, or a homemade jig with tied-on deer hair, that is where he’d be. He was one of the early members of the Austin Bass Club and lived a fisherman’s life as often as Peggy would let him, which was often. He spent many hours fishing the lakes of Texas and Mexico or out in the Gulf with his best friends, Jack McNair and George Raven or his brother Gene. He was also a talented artist and would draw pictures in his spare time. He rarely shared his drawings due to self-criticism, but those who received them cherish them deeply. 

His later years were marked by sorrow as he and Peggy suffered the loss of their two youngest children. Charles served as a caregiver for both children in their final years of life, as well as for his wife until her death in February 2024. Charles is preceded in death by his mother, Jewel Onieda Britt Jones, his father, Walter Martin Jones, Sr., his brother, Walter Martin Jones, Jr., his son, William Martin (Billy) Jones, his daughter, Teresa Lynn (Teri) Jones and his wife, Peggy Lou Bass Jones, all of whom he thought about and missed every day. He was anxious over the last year of his life to leave this mortal existence and join his loved ones beyond the veil.

 Charles is survived by his brother and best friend, Gene Arthur Jones (Marie), his sister, Jane Jones Gravitt (Terry), his daughter, Marla Kay Gilliland, (Robin), his son Charles Floyd Jones, Jr. (Brigette), grandchildren, Leah Nichole Sannar, Lindsey Marie Haroldsen (Aaron), Taylor Renee Gilbert (David) and Trace Williamjay Gilliland, great grandchildren, Benjamin James Haroldsen, Tyson Charles Haroldsen, Kate Elizabeth Haroldsen, Andrew Oliver Haroldsen, Dominic Owen Sannar, Emmett Grey Sannar, Elliott J Gilbert and Greyson Ray Gilbert, plus many nephews, cousins, nieces, friends and other loving family members who played a large role in his life.

 At the request (insistence) of Charles, there will be no funeral or graveside service. Those of you who knew him well know that he always struggled with asking for help and never wanted to put anyone out, and so since this last request illuminates this exact sentiment, we have chosen to honor his request. Charles will be interred at Enoch Cemetery in Gilmer, Texas, on June 26, 2025. He will be laid to rest beside his wife Peggy, his daughter Teri, and his son Billy, along with his parents and many members of his loving East Texas family.