Olen Lee Jones

Well done good and faithful servant, Olen Lee Jones of Brenham, passed away June 15, 2024.

Olen Lee Jones was born in Ryan, OK on October 16, 1933 to Otis and Roma Jones. He was raised in Marlow, OK on the family farm. After graduating from Central High School in 1950 at the age of 16, he joined the American Legion baseball league and finished his career pitching a 2 hitter in the 1953 playoffs in Omaha. He served in the Army and was stationed in Korea during the Korean War. He finished his service and moved back home to begin his 30 year long career with Halliburton which relocated him to Odessa, Texas where he met the love of his life and best friend, Charleen Ikeler. They were married September 19, 1959. Twelve years later, their only child, Wende, was born. Olen was dedicated to loving on and caring for his girls. He was always a step ahead and prepared for every lost key, empty gas tank, and directionally challenged moment. He drew maps with directions like, “turn left at the corner of the Dairy Queen and the Phillips gas station” … his maps included descriptive landmarks to navigate his girls before the days of GPS.

Olen always had an amazing garden, and everyone loved his fresh tomatoes, green peppers, and okra. He had a lifelong love of baseball, especially the Astros. He did not miss watching a game! He enjoyed sharing his baseball passion with the number one loves of his life - his grandkids, Noah, Cole, and Moli, and special nephew, Nathan. Once they were born, he became, “Papa”. Papa attended every little league and soccer game he could and was always the most popular person to run to after a game because of his amazing snack bag. He would bring peanut butter crackers, butterfingers, and orange slices. Papa’s grandkids were the light and joy of his world.

If you ever spent the night at Mimi and Papa’s, you would hear Papa pray out loud every night before he went to sleep. In fact, Papa’s prayers carried his family through some difficult seasons. When his son-in-law, Tamir, was diagnosed with cancer, Papa stepped up to help his daughter and her family with everyday life. He ran carpool, helped with laundry, and always made time to be still and listen to support each of his babies. God always had Papa perfectly positioned to serve his family. He lifted up so many burdens both big and small to the Lord, and he has blessed his family more than he could ever know.

Papa truly loved everyone. He was never heard saying a curse word or speaking ill of anyone. He was the perfect example of a father’s love, always putting his family first.

Preceding him in death are his parents, his sister, Irene Marshall, brother Raymond and sister-in-law Margie Jones, brother Doug and sister-in-law Glenda Jones, brother-in-law Dennis Ikeler, brother-in-law Ronnie Ikeler, and son-in-law, Tamir Ragonis.

Surviving him are his wife of 64 years, Charleen, his daughter, Wende Jones Ragonis Anderson and her husband Charlie, grandchildren Noah and wife, Kendall, Cole, and Moli Ragonis; bonus grandchildren Gabe, Jonathan, and Janie Anderson; brother-in-law Rick Hammer, and wife Tiffany, and their son Nathan; and special family friend, Claudia Juarez. He covered these people in prayer until his last day.

Services will be held Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 11:00am at Brenham Memorial Chapel, 2300 Stringer St., Brenham, Texas.

Condolences may be shared at www.brenhammemorialchapel.com.