Herman  Jones

JONES, HERMAN (1911~1994) Herman Jones, state legislator and judge, was born January 21, 1911, in Carlsbad, New Mexico, to Perry L. Jones and Lora Bullard. He was reared on a farm near Decatur, Texas, and later in that town. His father became ill, and Herman began to help support his family at age thirteen with a newspaper route. He attended Decatur Baptist College, now Dallas Baptist College, and won a scholarship to Baylor University, which he attended for a year at which time his father died and his mother moved her sons to Austin. All four sons obtained work, and the three brothers entered The University of Texas. They graduated in 1934, each with two degrees, including a law degree. Herman, as a student assistant in law school, was president of the law school, a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Order of the Coif, a Friar and a Chancellor. He graduated from the University of Texas Law School with highest honors. He was elected to the legislature from Wise County, serving two terms, and then went into the practice of law with former Governor Dan Moody. Later he headed the Gas Utilities Division of the State Railroad Commission. Subsequently, he and Homer Thornberry became partners in a law practice. When Judge Thornberry left the firm to become a candidate for the United States House of Representatives, Charles Herring and Perry L. Jones, Judge Jones' brother, joined the law firm. He was intensely interested in politics. In 1944, he led the Roosevelt delegation from Texas to the National Democratic Convention in Chicago. He became Judge of the 53rd District Court in January 1961, and served for twenty years. He was also judge of the Third Administrative District. After retiring from the 53rd Court, he continued for several years to be on call as a judge and to serve as a mediator. For more than two decades he taught the Hickman Men's Class at the University United Methodist Church, and served as chairman of the church board and served other capacities as well. For many years he was a Little League Coach, a job he took very seriously and joyfully. He was a volunteer at the Austin State School, where his son Harris is a resident. He is a past President of the University of Texas Ex-Students' Association. He served on the University's Committee of 75, a group that recommended the course of the University's future pursuits. He was a gifted storyteller. Mr. Jones died on October 27, 1994.