Hugh Jons

Hugh Ritman (Rit) Jons, 66, of Kerrville, Texas, entered into Resurrection Life on Sunday, July 26, 2015. Rit was born in Houston, Texas, on 24 April, 1949, to Henry Paris Jons, Jr. and Mary Ruth O'Brien Jons. Rit grew up in Missouri City, Texas, and graduated from Dulles High School (1967) as Salutatorian and immediately entered the United States Military Academy at West Point for two years. He graduated in 1970 from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, with a major in Mathematics. Upon graduation, Rit entered The University of Texas School of Law, receiving a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1973. He and his high school sweetheart, Rebecca Kelly, married in 1970.\r\n\r\nAfter law school, Rit was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, United States Army, Corps of Engineers, stationed at 10th Engineer Battalion, Kitzingen, W. Germany (1973-1976) and Ft. Hood, Texas (1977). Upon completion of his military duties, Rit and family moved to Kerrville in 1977 where he joined the law firm of Jim Nugent.\r\n\r\nIn the early 1980's, Rit partnered with fellow attorneys Charlie Strauss and Scott Parker. In the early 1990's, he entered solo real estate practice and office-shared with his good friend Craig Leslie. In 2004, Rit and oldest son, Hugh, formed Jons Law Firm, where Rit continued in real estate law until his retirement. As general counsel for the YO Ranch since the 1970's, Rit's association with the Schreiner Family and more specifically, his good friend Charlie Schreiner IV, gave him a connection to the outdoors that he loved. In 2006, Rit joined both sons, Hugh & Paris, in founding J3 Company, a heavy highway civil construction company.\r\n\r\nRit was a member of the Texas State Bar Association, former President of Kerrville Bar Association, Kerr County Attorney 1980-1984, Director/Chair of Upper Guadalupe River Association (UGRA), Lifetime Member of National Rifle Association (NRA), Association of General Contractors (AGC)/San Antonio Chapter, Member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, serving on Vestry, and attending Cursillo #154 (1990).\r\n\r\nA loving husband, father, grandfather (Pops), brother, friend….Rit is survived by his wife of 45 years, Rebecca Ann Kelly Jons, 3 children and their spouses: Hugh (Kamme) Jons, Paris (Saphronia) Jons, Kelly Jons (Mitch) McGuffie. Grandchildren Alivia, Hugh III (Tres), Josephine, Henry, Robert, Sarah Rose, Riley, Morgan, Macey. Also sisters Michelle Jons Lowe of San Antonio and Sheryl Jons (Buddy) Loveless of Boerne, along with sisters-in-law Judith Kelly Miller and Kathryn Kelly (David) Nesbitt of Kerrville, and numerous nieces and nephews.\r\n\r\nAn avid hunter, Rit enjoyed mule deer hunting at the Deseret Ranch, Utah, yearly deer-lease hunts in West Texas with family and friends, trips to Alaska & Canada for moose, caribou and big horned sheep, an African trip to Botswana in 2002 for numerous trophies. His haven, though, was his ranch DosLagos in Kerrville, where for 30 years he cultivated and raised white tail trophy deer. A long-time member of the Kerrville Bass Club, Rit's love of bass fishing and the fun and companionship of fellow anglers in competition fishing gave him much pleasure. Rit also enjoyed coaching not only his own children through years of baseball and softball, but in being a mentor and coach to their friends as well.\r\n\r\nA Memorial Service in celebration of Rit's life will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Kerrville, on Saturday, August 22nd at 11:00 am, with the Rev. Stockton Williams and the Rev. Tom Murray officiating. A reception will follow in Tucker Hall. \r\n\r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Peter's Episcopal Church Music Fund where Rit was a choir member, or to Peterson Hospice.\r\n\r\nThe family offers a special thanks to Chris, Paula and Pat for their loving care for Rit these past few months.