Roy Allen Jones

Roy Allen “Buddy” Jones, 90, a dedicated rancher and cherished family man of Oakville, Texas, passed away May 27, 2025, in George West and is now reunited with his beloved wife, Charon.

Buddy was born November 3, 1934, in George West to Henry Allen Jones and Mary Cornelia (King) Jones. As evidenced by his first-grade class photo, Buddy set out from the very start to be a cowboy. He was the only student pictured with holstered pistols on both hips.

Buddy met his sweet cowgirl, Charon Mae Buchli, while rodeoing in Montana. The couple married on October 18, 1956, in St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Wibaux, Montana. Soon after, they settled in Live Oak County, making their first home in George West. In 1961, they moved to the Jones family ranch in Oakville, where they spent the rest of their married life raising two daughters, quarter horses and cattle. They also were proud owners of the Texaco Gas Station in George West for several years.

Rodeo was a huge part of their lives. Buddy and Charon traveled many miles, sometimes carrying young daughters, while he competed for a living. A PRCA Gold Card member, and member of the Rodeo Cowboys Association since 1955, the stories are many, including big wins in Reno, Calgary, and a calf roping arena record set at the Pendleton Roundup. Buddy twice competed in the World Championship Rodeo in Madison Square Garden, hauling a horse trailer from South Texas to New York City behind an Oldsmobile with not much more than a shoebox of sandwiches to keep him company.

But the story he often recounted with the most emotion was the one and only time he got down on his knees and begged God to let him win. They had only enough money to buy groceries or pay Buddy’s entry fee at the Tilden rodeo. Charon encouraged him to enter, and Buddy won $800 – a great deal of money at the time. A longtime member of the Oakville Baptist Church and congregant of the Brush Country Cowboy Church, his whole life he leaned on his faith. Buddy would always remind his family not to worry, but instead, turn everything over to God – including the last of the grocery money.

They were blessed not only with winnings, but together at the rodeos and at home, Buddy and Charon were rich with friends. The number of rodeo families who visited them to train a horse, rope or share a meal, are too numerous to count. As much as Buddy loved training roping horses, he loved helping kids more. He gave selflessly of his time and experience at every opportunity, spending decades at rodeos and in the practice pen with his kids, their kids, or any kid who wanted to come rope and learn.

Buddy was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mary Jones; his beloved wife, Charon Jones; sisters, Evelyn Joyce and Virginia Ann Smith; brother, Elmo Jones; his great-grandson, Gunner Howard; and his son-in-law, Curtis Clopton.

Survivors include a brother, Gene (Virginia) Jones; and two daughters, Tari (Luke) Goebel and Laurie Clopton. He took great pride in his grandchildren, Dustin (Meghan) Mundorf, Dillon Mundorf, Denver (Ryan) Watkins and Whitney (Cody) Howard; along with his great-grandchildren, Clay Reed Watkins, Maggie Watkins, Duke Mundorf and Camille Howard; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Sunday, June 1, at Galloway & Sons Funeral Home in Three Rivers, with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 2 o'clock, officiated by Mr. Rusty Felts.

Following the funeral, Buddy will be laid to rest beside his beloved Charon on the Jones family ranch. Refreshments will be served at the Oakville Community Center following graveside services.

Pallbearers will be Dustin Mundorf, Dillon Mundorf, Ryan Watkins, Cody Howard, Clay Reed Watkins and Duke Mundorf.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Buddy’s name to: www.justincowboycrisisfund.org

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt appreciation to Live Oak Nursing Home and staff especially his nurses, Brittany and JoAnn, as well as his CNAs, Tina and Brittany, for their loving care.