Archie Preston Jones

Archie Preston Jones went to be with the Lord on May 5, 2024. Born in Oakland, California, on Nov. 20, 1942 to Archie Louis and Margaret Gillham Jones, Archie later attended Coral Gables High School and then completed his B.A. and M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Miami in Florida and his PhD from the University of Dallas in Texas. He was so keen to serve his country after high school that he could not enter the Marine Corps without written permission from his parents since he was not yet 18. He proudly served 4 years in the U. S. Marines, including a tour in Okinawa. A faithful follower of Christ, Archie was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Valparaiso, Florida for over 20 years, and he spent the last 2 years at Midway Presbyterian Church in Powder Springs, Georgia. Archie was a dedicated and loving husband, a wonderful father, and a helpful friend to anyone in need. He lovingly cared for his wife, Mary, as she dealt with epileptic-type seizures, and he was absolutely devoted to her care while she battled cancer. As a father, he eagerly jumped at any opportunity to help his son, Daniel, and daughter, Jennie. He joyfully played with his granddaughters when they were younger and helpfully advised them on their school essays as they got older. Archie had a gift for teaching. He taught at several colleges and universities including Texas A&M, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, and Saint Leo College. The highlight of his college teaching career was the 5 years he spent at Texas A&M. He greatly enjoyed sharing the unique A&M spirit and traditions with Mary and Daniel as they attended football games and watched the Fightin’ Texas Aggie precision marching band. He also taught at two small Christian schools to ensure his son and daughter could have a high-quality education. Helping people grow in their own love of learning, Archie and Mary were passionate about making sure Christian Liberty Academy and Rocky Bayou Christian School had excellent libraries. They spent countless hours traveling to used book sales and collecting books to build the libraries so that students could have exceptional resources. Archie took great pleasure in directing people to the best books for their research. Along with being a lover of books and learning, Archie was also a skillful writer. Writing about the intended meaning of the religion clause of the 1 st Amendment, he penned the longest dissertation on record in the Politics Department at the University of Dallas. He also wrote on the topic of Christianity in the Constitution, in the Articles of Confederation, and in the Constitutions of America’s early states. His book Gateway to Liberty is a passionate defense and analysis of the 10 th Amendment. Archie was also very interested in his family history, and penned a 90-page book filled with stories and personal accounts. He was especially fond of his father’s work with the beautiful liguus fasciatus—tree-snail shells found only in the Everglades and Cuba. His father’s lifelong work helped preserve this beautiful creation of God so that it could be marveled at by shell lovers around the world and by future generations. Archie leaves behind his daughter, Jennie Jones of Marietta, Georgia, his brother, Kenneth G. Jones of Miami, Florida, granddaughters Elizabeth M. Jones, Christina G. Jones, Katherine V. Jones, and Marissa S. Jones – all of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and cousins Douglas Jones and Bruce Jones of Tallahassee, Florida, and Brent Canaday of Indianapolis, Indiana. He is preceded in death by his wife, Mary Hanchett Jones and his sons Christopher Elliot Jones and Daniel Preston Jones. Archie will long be remembered for the life he lived. He was a faithful soldier for Christ, and he set an example for all with his robust fighting spirit and interminable perseverance. He was the consummate gentleman, playfully rushing to get the door for someone or to pull out a chair for a lady to sit. Possessing a rare combination of humor and intelligence, he loved puns and was incredibly down-to-earth for someone so learned. The family would be blessed if you made donations in Archie’s memory to American Vision in Powder Springs, Georgia.(https:donate.americanvision.org/)

Archie Preston Jones

November 20, 1942 - May 5, 2024