Asa Thomas Jones was born to Tom and Irene Jones in Guy, New Mexico on December 9, 1924, and he passed away on March 26, 2022, in Raton, New Mexico. After Asa’s birth, Tom moved his small family to Blind Gap north of Grenville, New Mexico. Asa’s father, Tom was working for Ralph Morledge. Later they moved to Cuatus, New Mexico where they had owned a ranch. They also ran the store and the Post Office. There is a copy of Asa’s mother’s certification as Post Mistress in the Kenton Museum. Asa’s sister, Lena Hope was born at Cuatus on February 14, 1928.
A few years later, the Jones sold their place to Mrs. McLaughlin and moved to Kenton. They acquired a place southeast of Kenton on February 14, 1930. The family lived with John E. Jones who owned the first hotel in Kenton for a few months until their house was built on the ranch.
Asa started school at Kenton in 1932 and graduated from high school there. There he met his future bride Fannie Mae Gillworth. They rode the bus together. Fannie and Asa were married on September 2, 1948, in Clayton, New Mexico. To this union was born a son, Eric (Rick), and a daughter, Teresa (Tessie) Jones Crane.
Over the years, Asa and Fannie ranched in both Cimarron and Pontotoc counties in Oklahoma. Asa and Fannie retired from the ranch and returned to Kenton in 1992. They helped start the Kenton Museum in 1999. The Museum has kept them very busy in the summer months. Asa was always on hand to help someone locate where their ancestors homesteaded or to help a visitor at the cemetery locate where their ancestors are buried. He was a wealth of information about the local history and was willing to share his knowledge and memories with visitors to the museum.
Asa always raised a garden and shared it with his neighbors. He was also known for sharing tools, parts, and odd and ends with neighbors in need of something to finish a repair job. It is a long drive to the nearest town! Asa and Fannie belong to the Kenton Methodist Church in Kenton, and Asa had also belonged to the Odd Fellows Lodge since 1955.
Asa is survived by his wife Fannie Mae, his son, Rick Jones, and his daughter, Tessie Crane. He is also survived by his nephew Tom Weldon and his wife Lou Anne, and his nephew, Billy Jack Weldon. Rick and his wife Brenda live in Raton, New Mexico. Rick has a daughter, Kasey Byrne, a son-in-law Brian Byrne, a grandson Asa James Byrne, and a granddaughter, Roxanne Byrne. Brenda has two children, Todd Warlick and Michelle Chapman. Todd and his wife Lauren of Moose Lake, Minnesota have two daughters, Shelby and Laken, and two granddaughters. Michelle and her husband Eric, of Draper, Utah, have three daughters, Grace, Claire, and Kate.
Asa and Fannie’s daughter, Tessie lives in Perkins, Oklahoma. She and her husband, Gary Crane, own the Ralph Circle R Packing Company. They have two daughters, Erica Herring and Megan Nawrocki. Erica has twin sons, Logan and Joshua, and they also live in Perkins, Oklahoma. Megan and her husband Tim Nawrocki have a son, Phoenix, and they live in Australia.
Asa T. Jones will be laid to rest in the Kenton Cemetery on March 5th at 11 AM Mountain Time. In lieu of sending flowers, we ask that donations be made to the Kenton Museum, Kenton Senior Citizens, or the Kenton Cemetery fund.
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