Jack E. Jones Sr., a farmer-turned-sheriff's deputy who rose to Jefferson County judge from 1989-2006, died Wednesday from injuries suffered in a vehicle accident five days earlier. He was 76.
Jones was on his way to a meeting of the Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare board, on which he served, according to his obituary. An Arkansas State Police report said the accident occurred Feb. 26 near mile marker 34 on Interstate 530 in the White Hall area, where Jones lived.
According to the state police, Jones was driving a 2005 Ford pickup south on I-530 when the single-vehicle accident occurred. A trooper reported that Jones veered off the roadway after hitting a pool of water and ran into the tree line. The right rear quarter-panel struck a tree.
The trooper noted that Jones stepped out of the vehicle and seemed to be in good spirits but complained of an unspecified injury. Jones went by ambulance to Jefferson Regional Medical Center.
Jones died at UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock five days later, the Pulaski County coroner's office confirmed.
State police spokesman Bill Sadler said he wasn't "100 percent" sure what happened between the time Jones was transported to Jefferson Regional and arrived at UAMS.
Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. issued a statement Friday on Jones' death.
"He certainly left his mark on Jefferson County, and I enjoyed my working relationship with him even though I had only been employed for three years during that time," Woods said. "Along with his knowledge and wisdom of government, was his sense of humor."
Jones worked as a deputy under then-Sheriff W.C. "Dub" Brassell early in his career, according to Woods' statement. Both men have detention centers named in their honor.
"He helped champion a county-wide public safety tax that among other things resulted in the construction of the Jack Jones Juvenile Justice Center," Woods said. "Judge Jones also played a pivotal role in several key pieces of legislation that proved to be most significant during economic growth of Jefferson County between 1989-2006."
According to his obituary, Jones' proudest accomplishments as county judge included "pioneering bridge construction" and starting the county recycling program, for which he won a national award and gave presentations on the importance of recycling.
Woods credited Jones with helping the county and its government undergo "tremendous growth and change" during his tenure.
"Judge Jones exemplified every facet of county government," Woods said. "Recognized as among the very best in his profession, he guided Jefferson County through many growth opportunities. Judge Jones had strong support from members of the Jefferson County Quorum Court in which he [presided] over and the people of Jefferson County. ... Judge Jones loved serving the people of Jefferson County, his family, and those who knew him best. With an encyclopedia-like knowledge of the inner-workings of county government, Judge Jones was one of the pillars of county government and a visionary.
"He will be sorely missed. Condolences and prayers of comfort and strength for the family during these tender moments."
Former Pine Bluff Mayor and Jefferson County Judge Dutch King said he had known Jones for a long time. King was mayor from 2001-04 and became county judge seven years after Jones left, finishing his term in 2016.
"We agreed on things. We disagreed on things," King said. "But he cared about Jefferson County. I was always under the impression that the city benefited most when the mayor and the county judge worked together. If things are good in the city, they're going to be good in the county. You have to work together."
Jack Eugene Jones was born April 21, 1944, in Bakersfield, Calif., to Jack Wilkerson Jones and Pearl Flanagan Jones Brown. He grew up in the Linwood community, near Moscow, and graduated from Pine Bluff High School in 1962.
Jones attended both the University of Arkansas at Monticello and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. He was a farmer for 14 years before beginning his career with the Jefferson County sheriff's office, where he helped start the Junior Deputy program, and then helped start garbage pickup in rural areas under then-County Judge Earl Chadick.
Jones was elected county judge after Chadick's passing.
Jones leaves behind his wife of nearly 18 years, Gale Glover Jones; four sons, a daughter, a stepson, two siblings, 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and several in-laws.
Visitation is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors. Covid-19 guidelines will apply.
Funeral services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday at Olive Branch Missionary Baptist Church, 5130 Bobo Road in Pine Bluff. Jones will be interred at Ain Cemetery in Grapevine.