Thomas Vaughn Jones

On November 18, 2025, God called home one of his last true cowboys. Thomas Vaughn Jones was born on May 3, 1948 to Dick and Mary Jones of Oklahoma City. Tom was the third generation born into Jones Cattle Company and he and his older brother Rick spent countless days at the Oklahoma City Stockyards with their Dad, Dick and their Grandfather, George R. Dick taught both boys how to shoot a gun and how to hunt but most importantly, he taught them how to be good and honorable men.

The cattle business was deeply ingrained in everything Tom was. He loved the business and the cowboy way of life passionately. So much so that he and Rick helped to innovate and build the new and revolutionary OKC West Livestock Market in El Reno in 1989. This facility changed the future of the cattle business in the state of Oklahoma and beyond. It remains one of the largest weekly cattle auctions in the region.

As a kid, Tom often felt conflicted about whether to listen to his older brother, Rick…or to do the right thing. Luckily, their mother Mary kept the boys mostly on the right track by sharing her love of the Catholic faith with them and keeping them in the confessional regularly. The boys went on to attend St. Gregory’s Catholic School in Shawnee. Tom would reflect on his time there while holding back a laugh and with a twinkle in his eye.

Although the cattle business was in Tom’s blood, his path took him on a couple adventures before he settled down. At the tender age of 27, Tom and a couple of buddies saved up their money and purchased a sailboat. They set sail for the Bahamas from Miami harbor and for three months they dove for their food in crystal clear waters, admired millions of stars and stopped in ports to trade coffee and Bahamian bread.

Whether it be a trip down to the Texas panhandle to check cattle, a stay in Denver at the Brown Palace Hotel or an evening at the Pink Adobe in Santa Fe, Tom loved to travel. He appreciated a fine meal no matter where he was, always dressed to impress and often had a beautiful piece of artwork in tow, to commemorate the trip.

Tom loved Thanksgiving hunting trips and bringing home plenty of quail to fry. He loved wiggling down to a fishing hole with his best friend (brother), Rusty. He loved his Catholic faith. He loved a cold draft beer and a fried bird at Eischen’s. He loved a good nickname and if he didn’t have one for you, chances are he didn’t like you much. He loved drives out to the country to check cattle. He loved watching Oklahoma sports with his grandsons, Kollin and Kage. He loved working cattle on a well-trained horse. He loved visits from his daughters Kara and Megan and hearing them laugh together in the kitchen. He loved the sound of an elk bugle in September. He loved coming home to his ole’ hound-dog, Gracie. But most of all, he loved and adored his beautiful wife, Sue. For years, we all listened to him blast their song, “Better Together,” by Jack Johnson. That’s exactly what they were - better together.

In what turned out to be his final year, Tom celebrated his 77th Birthday with his nearest and dearest, who surprised him with a cowboy-themed party. Everyone in attendance borrowed his best cowboy hats and donned pearl-snapped shirts. The songs of Toby Keith and Willie filled the air, as did Tom’s voice as he told old stories, peppered throughout by some of his famous one-liners. This same year he also got to witness his beloved Thunder win the NBA Finals, and most recently he rejoiced when the Sooners upset Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Those who were lucky enough to meet Tom Jones immediately knew that he was one-of-a-kind and a dying breed. Those that loved him the most will miss his hugs, his heart and how he made us feel when we were sitting next to him.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. at Chi Gallery, 2300 NW 17th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73107.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, 1323 N. Classen Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73106.