"The most unique feature of
this man’s artistic work is its incredible originality. Here is truly an artist who
doesn’t need to sign his work. Tom Jones is part and parcel of his art;
his many imitators don’t even come close."
Tom Jones was born in San Antonio, Texas on November 14, 1920.
Descendant of a
Texas
pioneer family, his
Texas ancestry is second to none. His “Tannehill” line was among the first
pioneers in Travis County and his “Barkley” line had as many men killed in
Republic of Texas combat as any other Texas family.
Jones saw
combat during World War II in the South Pacific Theater while serving
in the US Marine Corps' 3rd Mar. Div. For some years after the
war he maintained a studio in San
Antonio’s LaVillita, teaching evening classes while developing his own
talents. In later years, Jones lived and worked in
California,
designing, carving and painting historical places.
While working in Los Angeles as an Artist consultant (and part time
body guard) for Comedian Charlie Weaver (Cliff Arquette), he was
instrumental in establishing two Civil War Museums, one in Gettesburg and
one in New Orleans in the early 1960's.
Tom’s relentless search for knowledge, coupled with a near photographic
mind, has resulted in a vast store of research on such far reaching
subjects as the Texas cowboy, wooden wall navies, the ancient Celts,
American Civil War, African wildlife, military uniforms, art history,
medieval life, etc. etc. His personal library contains over 3,000 select
volumes.
Tom has been sketching for 50 years to record his pre-war experiences as a
ranch hand, cowboy, aircraft mechanic, WW II era U. S. Marine, dirt farmer, ice man,
art school director, museum builder and general researcher. The mediums of
wood, rock, cement, clay, oil, watercolor, pen and ink are all familiar to
him. No less than 300 collections contain his sculpture and painting. His
art reflects an earthiness born of long experience at grass root levels.
Tom
passed away 12/15/2000. He is survived by:
his
wife wife of 53 years, Marie (since deceased at New Braunfels in 2003),
his Daughters Nonnie Vance of Lowell, Arkansas; Lavinia Straka of
Sacramento, California; his sons, William Jones of New Braunfels and
Charles Jones of Mission Viejo, California.
