Phillip Murray Jones, 63, passed away Christmas Eve, December 24, 2013.
He was born in Pittsburg, Texas, May 21, 1950 to Latta Murray Jones and Mary Jean Wilson.
Throughout his life, Phillip was unafraid of risk, and in the late 70s, he quit his steady job at Safeway and built a thriving homebuilding business, providing homes for hundreds of families throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Phillip spent many years afterward traveling and gambling throughout the country, from Atlantic City to Las Vegas and finally, Cripple Creek, Colorado. He spent his last years playing Texas Hold’em and breeding wild African dogs known as Basenjis. Phillip was a free spirit who didn’t believe in punching a time clock, had gambling in his blood, and had a big heart for his family and his dogs.
Phillip was preceded in death by his father, Latta Murray Jones. He is survived by his son, Merrill Shane Jones, daughter, Jennifer Jones Barnard, mother, Mary Jean Freeman, brother, David Merrill Jones, sisters Phyllis Jeanette Choate and Rosemary Juanita McKee, and fifteen Basenjis.
The memorial service will be held at 12pm, January 25, 2014 at Shiloh Family Church, 6500 Cross Timbers Road in Flower Mound, Texas.
To help rescue Phillip’s fifteen Basenjis, in lieu of flowers, please donate to Colorado Basenji Rescue at coloradobasenjirescue.org, 4989 Perry Street, Denver, CO 80212.