Sam Jones, Jr. August 6, 1945 - September 5, 2009

Sam Jones, Jr.

Sam Jones passed away in Houston, Texas, after a year-long battle with cancer. Sam was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, on August 6, 1945, the son of Dr. Sam and Lilly Mae Jones. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 1 in Hutchinson where he earned the Eagle Scout and God and Country awards and served on staff at Camp Pawnee. Sam’s scouting experience and his adherence to its oath and law would serve him well on his journey through life. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1963 where he lettered in football and basketball, was a member of Key Club, student council and was elected student body vice president his senior year.

After high school Sam served in the Navy for six years where he was a corpsman for the marines in Vietnam. He served as an Operating Room tech and flew as a medic on medevac helicopters. His heroic service in Nam earned him a Purple Heart and the Navy Cross. He married Candy Conger, of Hutchinson, Kansas after the service and enrolled at Washburn University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science. From there it was off to the University of New Mexico Albuquerque where Sam received his master’s degree in political science. He then returned to Kansas and entered a doctoral program in political science at the University of Kansas.

Sam started a career in radio which took him to Springfield, Missouri, before coming back to Hutchinson to join his father-in-law at KWBW Radio. While in Hutchinson Sam was active as his daughters’ soccer coach and worked with many civic organizations such as the NJCAA Basketball Tournament. When KWBW was sold, Sam’s enthusiastic attitude and aptitude for change served him well as he worked in Pennsylvania and then radio stations in Great Bend, Kansas, and KEAN radio in Abilene, Texas. In Abilene he also worked in sales for the National Federation of Independent Business. It was during this time that Sam met his second wife and the love of his life, Fredda Gail. They married August 20, 1999, and later moved to Houston, Texas, where Sam earned a teaching degree and taught history at Hastings High School, an inner city school, where he worked until February 2009. Sam was a person of great character and attracted strong friendships wherever he went. His courteous manner and generous nature always served him well; there were no strangers for him.

So for this scout the time has come for his final vespers to be sung. Softly his earthly light did fall, his campfire faded to the Master’s call. For him we answer, “Yes,” when asked, “He faithfully did his daily task. His honor he kept always bright and he’ll rest well on this long flight to the Master’s side where angels for him will attest with a most resounding, ‘Yes,’ that in his final trials and pain, Sam did and dared all he could to be prepared and, knowing well of his own going, prepared that loved ones left behind would be cared for in their time.”

Sam is survived by his wife of ten years Fredda Gail Jones of Houston, Texas, his 3 daughters and a stepdaughter and son-in-laws: Heather Jones and Michael Lee of Arlington, VA; Katherine and Robert Paulson of Charleston, WV; Maggi and Brad Schoonover of Lenexa, KS; Adrienne and Matt Sicinski of Houston, TX; and grandchildren Caroline Lee, Isabelle Paulson, Elliott Schoonover and Reese Sicinski. His brother and family John and Lyn Jones of Overland Park, Kansas, and their children Rachel, Sarah and Hannah and his sister Susan Jones Colby of Lafayette, Indiana, and her three sons Ben, Chris and John Barnett also survive. Sam also leaves behind many close friends from Hutchinson, Abilene and Houston.

Services celebrating Sam’s life will be held at Elmwood Funeral Home at 5750 U.S. Highway 227, Abilene, Texas, with visitation Wednesday, September 9, from 5 to 7 in the evening and memorial service on Thursday, September 10, at high noon. Burial will be in Abilene at Elmwood Memorial Park following the service.

Honorary pallbearers will be Claude Champion, Dan Hanrahan, Jack Hilyard, John Jones, William Scruggs, and Bobby Weeks.

The family would like to thank Dr. R.C. Vanbiber, Dr. Nabeel Shalan, Dr. Mauricio Reinoso, Dr. Swati Gupta and the doctors and nurses at Memorial Herman Southwest and Houston Hospice.

Memorial gifts in Sam’s name may be made to the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 22718
Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or Houston Hospice at 1905 Holcombe Blvd. Houston, TX 77030.

Prayers for Sam

Last Monday Mom met with Houston Hospice to seek their care on a weekly basis for Sam. Mom learned from her neighbor, who is a Hospice nurse, that Hospice will help administer medications, keep the patient comfortable and help the family before the patients time has come.

Mom and Sam had already decided he could not handle anymore chemo and he was on so much medication that they needed more assistance in managing it. So, last week, Mom met with a Hospice nurse, case worker and doctor and began the process. Hospice is so helpful, they delivered his medications immediately, gave Mom a 24/7 number to call and visited multiple times.

On Friday, Sam was having trouble breathing, which was caused by the morphine. Mom called Hospice and they thought it was best to bring Sam into their facility in the Medical Center. Sam improved on Friday evening and night, but on Saturday he seemed to get worse. His breathing was better, but his restlessness, agitation and pain were worse. The doctor said if he didn't begin improving in 24 hours, he probably would not.

Yesterday, Monday (a week from when the Hospice care began), Sam's doctor said his kidney's were failing. He is unable to eat or drink much and his body is beginning to shut down. We are shocked; it is happening too fast! This is so hard, but we are accepting it is almost time for him to go. We don't want him to go, but we also do not want him to be in pain and suffering. Mom and I spent a lot of time with him yesterday (Grandma Ruth joined us in the evening), and I am spending the day with him today. Yesterday, he knew we were here and he talked a little. We couldn't understand everything he was saying, but were able to understand a lot. He understood what we were saying and even expressed some humor.

Today, Sam is resting well and is not as restless as he was yesterday. Matt and Scott came to see him this morning. His best friend Jack is coming to see him today and Maggie and Katie, two of his daughters, are flying in tomorrow. Heather, his oldest daughter, will not be able to come as she is pregnant and due around the first of October.

I am thankful he is at Hospice. They are wonderful and are all about the patient and the family. We are welcome here 24/7, can bring the babies, can bring the pets (if we had any) and they are willing to do anything for us. What a generous organization. We thank you.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Sam, my Mom, his daughters, his family, his friends and his caregivers all need them. Sam has overcome so much during the last year and a half, and I wouldn't be surprised if he overcame this too. He is such a fighter and doesn't give up easily. We have known the time would come that he would leave this world and join his Savior Jesus Christ. I don't want him to go and this is not easy (I can't stop crying), but I pray that Sam goes in peace when it is time.

We love you so much Sam. As Mom would say, "You're doing good."

Birthdays and Portraits

Sam and I celebrated our 64th and 31st birthdays this month. We had special visitors to help us celebrate. Alyssa and Slaton came to Houston the weekend of August 1st. We had such a nice time and were so glad to see some of our Abilene family. They arrived Thursday evening and we hung out until Sunday afternoon. Reese and Slaton had a blast together and made more noise in our house than I have heard in a long time.

Slaton ran around the house and Reese did her best to keep up, laughing and yelling all the way.

Here is a little bit of what we did...

Friday we took the kids swimming at Mom and Sam's.




This was Reese's first time to wear her floating suit. Unfortunately, we could not find arm floaties during our Wal-Mart run.








We did find noodles though! Without the floaty or the noodle, Reese would have dipped forward too much.

Slaton also dove for rings with his goggles.




I got a great workout swimming around the pool with Reese.

Saturday morning we took the kids to have their picture taken. Courteney Miller, who took Reese's 3 month pictures was able to meet us on short notice. I was thrilled! I had grand visions of snapping pictures of Slaton and Reese holding hands, walking down the path, playing and laughing outside among the trees, ducks and flowers. Boy, was I dreaming! Reese was not in the mood for taking pictures and would hardly let me put her down. Slaton did well until the end when he had enough. By that time, Reese warmed up a bit, but I think we only got one shot of the two of them! I felt like the morning was a waste, but our talented photographer captured the most precious moments of our children and family.

I do not have the cd yet, but you can check them out on Courteney's blog: http://courteneymillerphotography.blogspot.com/

Scroll down past the Mini Session post to see our pictures.

Thank you again Courteney! You amaze me, and I love the moments you caught for us! You captured the personalities of our kids. Looking forward to next time.

After a long morning :) we rested and got ready for the birthday dinner celebration. Sam was unable to join us for dinner, but we had a nice time at Escalante's.

After some good Mexican food, we joined Sam back at home for presents and cupcakes!

Happy Birthday Grandpa Sam and Mommy!!!

Thanks Alyssa and Slaton for coming all the way to Houston to see us. We had a great time and can't wait to see you during our upcoming Abilene trip.

Reese's 18 month obsessions...

Reese's current obsessions are comprised of the following:

Checking out anything of Mommy's: travel bag, purse, make up, you name it. She entertains herself so well. My things are very interesting you know! She loves to put things back, when asked, after she is done playing with them. It make transitioning to the next activity so easy because she puts the object away and moves on. I'll bet she learned this at school!



Q-tips became her obsession of the evening during this particular search.






Laughing out loud.




Observing what's going on around her at the Kemah Boardwalk.

Giving high fives!

Playing on the scale and with the softlips (lip gloss).

Reading a book after climbing up on the couch all by herself.

Blowing bubbles and sharing with Super Puppy.

Wearing Mommy's shoes.

Daddy, you've got a Diva on your hands.

Sitting in big chairs.

Rolling containers back and forth across the table to Mommy.

Unscrewing bottle tops.

Hanging out with the girls at BerryHill.

Looking just like Daddy and snacking on the island. Everyone we meet says, "She looks just like her Daddy!"

Taking Mommy's hand and leading the way.

Going swimming at Grandpa Joe's.

Sporting her yellow tutu.

Eating Goldfish (no picture shown for this obsession). I have to hide them, so she will not eat them all day long!

Other news from this month:

- Reese weighed in at 26 lbs and was 34 inches long at her 18 month appointment.

- She loves to help Mommy and follows instructions well. When asked, Reese will shut the door, put her milk in the fridge (with help opening the door), put things back where they belong when she is done (like her tooth brush and my makeup back into its bag). She understands so well and has been minding too. She doesn't react to the word "No" as much as she used to. By that, I mean she doesn't cry, she usually listens and minds us.

- She has said more words including up, ruff ruff, buckle and more using the sign too. We continue to work with her and repeat words over and over before following through with an action. For example, when she grunts for something, we say the word for what she is asking for and try to get her to repeat it. We went ahead and scheduled an appointment with the speech therapist for Friday, August 21 to get their thoughts and advice.

- Terrible two's have subsided a bit...hope I'm not jinxing it! :)

~ 8 years and 18 months ~

Today is our 8 year wedding anniversary and Reese's 18 month birthday. It's hard to believe we have been married 8 years and that Reese is a year and a half old!

On Friday I did a little shopping before picking Reese up from school. I was hoping to find some good summer sales, but had little luck. Of course all of the fall clothes are out, but who wants to buy fall clothes when it is 100 degrees outside. In Houston we wear shorts until Thanksgiving! At least Matt does.

I did find a few goodies at Gap and Gymboree!




The school theme last week was beach/ocean and Reese's teacher said she kept putting on sunglasses. I had to see this for myself.



On Saturday and Sunday morning, Mom, Reese and I walked at Memorial City Mall. I finally got smart and decided to work out inside rather than outside. Reese loves (so far) strolling through the mall and they have an indoor playground that she enjoys.

Later in the day on Saturday, I headed to Galveston with some girl friends to visit a wine bar. It was a fun afternoon and a nice little get-a-way. Matt and Reese hung out with Scott and Chris and ate Amy's ice cream! That evening, after the thunderstorm passed, Matt and I went to McCormick and Schmick's to celebrate our anniversary. Grandma Ruth came over and watched Reesie.

On Sunday, we took our usual trip to the park. Reese was all about the BIG toys!




She even braved the BIG swing all by herself.



I told her she was a BIG girl now!

She also played on the BIG play structure.

And Daddy helped her climb up the BIG high steps (these are the ones she envied the girls playing tag last week when they climbed).

Yesterday, Reese and I took a walk after dinner. I've been trying to get in brisk walks 4-5 times a week. We stopped at the park and Reese played and played. Of course she did not want to leave, but we had to get home for bath time. Unfortunately, this lead to a kicking and screaming tantrum and I ended up carrying her home while pushing the jogger one handed. It was BAD! She really wanted to push the jogger, but it's just too big for her and there is nothing to hold onto that she can reach. She is used to pushing her umbrella stroller, so she thought she could push the jogger. We finally made it home, but not without a few astonished looks from the neighbors! Whew!

Oh and when I picked up Reese from school yesterday, I learned she got her first bite from another child. Apparently she took a toy from another boy and he bit her hand trying to get her to let go. She had a pretty good mark on her knuckle and around her index finger and thumb. It did not break the skin thank goodness and is already looking better today. I really hope she does not retaliate and bite him or any other child.

Today, Reese showed me how she was like Mommy. She carried my purse, her school bag and my lunch bag around the kitchen before stopping to make a phone call.

So back to being 18 months old...

Reese amazes me everyday and I simply love this age! I must admit, however, the terrible two's have begun. Nobody warned me that they started so early! I say this because I have seen more and more tantrums lately. In addition, Reese has been refusing to change her diaper or get dressed. It's a real chore to accomplish either task. BUT, I know this too shall pass and is a part of growing up, becoming more independent and showing she has some power. When she gets over her fit, she always comes running to me and gives me hugs (like she was never mad at me). She has this thing about grabbing my finger and leading (shall I say pulling) me around the house or playground to show me something very interesting. It's like she is saying, "Mom, come over here!".

Tomorrow is her 18 month appointment. Let's see what the doctor has to say about her speech.