[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 142 (Tuesday, September 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1743]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN MEMORY OF JAMES HERBERT ``JIMMIE RED'' JONES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 9, 2008

  Mr. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of a great 
Arkansas statesman MG (Ret.) James Herbert ``Jimmie Red'' Jones of Hot 
Springs, Arkansas, who passed away on September 1, 2008 at the age of 
88. He was a former Arkansas State auditor and a former adjutant 
general of the Arkansas National Guard.
  I will forever remember Jimmie Red Jones as one of Arkansas's finest. 
His life was one defined by honor, leadership, and service to the 
people of Arkansas for over 70 years.
  Jimmie Red Jones graduated from Magnolia High School, Southern 
Arkansas University and Keegan's School of Radio and Television in 
Memphis. He attended Arkansas Law School and later received the 
Southern Arkansas University Distinguished Alumni Award in 1988.
  Jimmie Red Jones joined the Arkansas National Guard in 1938, and by 
the time he left active service in 1945, he had received the 
Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal with 
four Oak Leaf Clusters (which he particularly cherished), the Joint 
Service Medal, the European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal 
recognition with five Bronze Stars, and the World War II Victory 
Medal--along with many others. He later rejoined the National Guard in 
1947 and remained with the Guard until his promotion to adjutant 
general in 1979, earning the Legion of Merit and the Armed Forces 
Reserve Medals.
  Jimmie Red Jones returned to Magnolia after the war and sought to 
serve his community. He organized the Veterans of Foreign Wars, VFW, 
and Chamber of Commerce in Magnolia. Governor Francis Cherry appointed 
him as State land commissioner in 1955 and he was named Magnolia Man of 
the Year that same year.
  He was also elected State auditor in 1956 and served 12 terms. He 
would later serve as adjutant general of the Arkansas National Guard 
from 1979 to 1981 and then from 1983 to 1984.
  I will especially always remember the many miles and countless hours 
that I spent with Jimmie Red Jones on the campaign trail while he 
pursued his active interest in politics serving as state campaign 
manager for Bill Clinton's 1982 gubernatorial campaign.
  Jimmie Red Jones will be forever remembered in Arkansas as an 
inspiring example of selfless service to state and country. I extend my 
deepest condolences to his wife, Shirley Ledbetter Jones, Colonel 
(Ret.); stepsons Bobby Dale Gentry of Pine Bluff, Barry Gentry of 
Redfield and Chan Holcombe of Fort Smith; his six grand-step-children 
and his niece and nephew. Jimmie Red Jones will be greatly missed in 
Arkansas and we are all truly saddened by this loss.

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