Troy Hubert Jones

Troy Hubert Jones, 83 and lifelong resident of Eufaula, OK, passed away on September 24, 2016 at his home. Troy was born on September 6, 1933, in Muskogee County north of Checotah, OK, to Claude Nelson Jones and Mable Lee (McElroy) Jones-Wilson. Troy graduated from Eufaula High School in 1952 where he proudly served as the team football captain for the Ironheads. He joined the U.S. Army at the age of 19 and proudly served his country for 6 years. He was honorably discharged in 1961 at the rank of Sargent First Class. Troy returned home from military duty in 1955 and enrolled in Okmulgee Tech School where he would obtain a degree in welding and diesel mechanics. On a January afternoon in 1956, while driving home, he offered a ride to a young woman walking along the road. Little did he know that three months later, beautiful 16 year old, Barbara Gwen, would become his wife for 60 years. After their marriage, Troy and Barbara resided in Eufaula where they had their first son Troy Stephen Jones. Opportunities opened and in 1957, they moved to Hobbs, NM, where Troy became the shop Forman over a diesel repair shop. While living in NM, Troy and Barbara had their second and third children, Nona Gwen and John David. Despite the opportunities that were ahead, Troy made a decision that he wanted his family to be rooted and raised where he called home. In 1964 the family returned to Eufaula where Troy took a chance and started his own mechanic business. Jones Truck Repair (a/k/a Jones Repair Service) became a well-known staple in the town for 30 years as Troy served the community as a diesel mechanic and welder. In 1975, Troy and Barbara had their fourth and final child, Norma Lee. Troy and Barbara continued to run the business single handily until Troy retired in 1995. Troy was always willing to help the community out where and when he could. He was actively involved over the years with the Eufaula Quarterback Club, the Masonic Lodge, and the Shriners. He was also a member of the VFW and American Legion. One of Troy"s greatest pleasures was serving on the Eufaula Volunteer Fire Department where he served for 20+ years and retired with a rank of Assistant Fire Chief. Troy loved the outdoors regardless if for work or play. He loved being on the lake, fishing, camping, and being around his family and friends. He always loved to be tinkering around his place with something… building something out of metal, pouring a new section of concrete, working on his tractor, or building something. He loved what he did and did what he loved. The last 15 years of Troy's life had its ups and downs battling various health issues. He was diagnosed with Prostate cancer in 2000. Thanks to his positive attitude and strong will, he was able to beat the cancer and keep it at bay. A few years later he began to develop symptoms of COPD and emphysema which challenged his ability to do many of the things he loved. In 2010, Troy once again cheated death and had to have immediate surgery to have a pace maker installed. Although not able to do all the things he loved, he once again bounced back and was able to return to doing many things like camping and fishing. Troy's health once again began to decline in 2014 as his COPD caused his energy level to decline. Then in Feb-2016, he landed back in the hospital where he underwent an unexpected triple bypass. With his family scared and doubtful of his ability to survive or recover, he stayed the course and after weeks of hospitalization and therapy, he returned home and proved them all wrong as he always seemed to do. He stuck with his therapy was back in the outdoors but more limited than ever to the things he could do. However, the road to recovery was cut short when he started having issues once again. Troy"s ultimate goal was to make it to age 83 or one year older than his mother at the time of her death. He accomplished that goal, but on his 83rd birthday he was admitted back in the hospital where he and his family were informed that the battle was coming to an end in the near future. Troy was unable to escape lung cancer which had spread to other parts of his body. He fought the good fight every time, but this time decided to spend his final days in his home of 50+ years surrounded by his ever loving family and numerous friends. Troy was preceded in death by his parents; and granddaughter, Syntyche Dawn Fehnel. Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Barbara Gwen Jones of Eufaula, OK; children, Troy Stephen Jones and companion, Jacque Faye Henderson of Eufaula, OK, Nona Gwen Fehnel and husband, Glen of Los Alamos, NM, John David Jones and wife, Pammie of Yukon, OK, Norma Lee Carpenter and husband, Travis of Fairview, TX; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; brother, Cecil Jones and wife, Jerri of Eufaula, OK. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 28, 2016 at the Hunn, Black and Merritt Chapel. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. It was Troy"s request that donations be made in remembrance of him to the Shriners Burn Center for Children in Shreveport, LA in lieu of sending flowers. Donations can be made at the funeral service or individuals can contact daughter, Norma Carpenter, for instructions on mailing or electronic donations. Condolences for the family may be offered at www.hbmfuneralhome.com.