Dr. Henry Eugene Jones, Jr.

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Dr. Henry Eugene Jones Jr. (Gene), on January 5^th, 2023.

Gene was born on October 12, 1939, in New Orleans, Louisiana to Dr. Henry E. Jones Sr. and Rose Marie Bruyninckx Jones of Sterlington, Louisiana.

Following in his Father’s footsteps, Gene was a graduate of the LSU School of Medicine and was a member of the Ouachita Parish Medical Society.  Gene’s career in Family Medicine and Psychiatry took him to Los Angeles and Berkeley, CA, Grants Pass, OR, Sterlington and Monroe, LA and lastly Oakdale, CA. While practicing medicine in Monroe, Gene served as Chief of Staff at St. Francis Hospital. He expanded his practice to North Monroe where he also served as Chief of Staff at North Monroe Hospital.  Gene was and still is a well-respected physician and received many accolades for his work.

Gene led an extraordinary life and was quite the adventurer.  He was a licensed pilot and flew his family on many cross-country trips across America in his various aircrafts.  He also had an Ultralight airplane and after a slight mishap, his wife of 63 years, Sonja, told him no more Ultralight flights. He promptly built a very fast airboat with the propeller from the airplane.  He took his children on many exhilarating rides in that airboat, speeding along the lake and on occasion the inadvertent levee jump. He was known to dress up as “Indiana Jones” and take his family on the famous Land Cruiser excursions on Romantic Road in the woods of Bayou Ranch on Lake Bartholomew.

Gene and Sonja enjoyed a passion for travel and shared that love of travel with their children.  They visited many places over the years including countries in Europe and South America, Mexico, islands of the Caribbean and most recently, they fell in love with Panama. They were avid campers and traveled across America with Sonja’s parents, Earl and Bonitha Bryan in their matching recreational vehicles.  They particularly enjoyed several trips along the Oregon coast and Alaska picking berries and making jam along the way.

Gene was an animal whisperer.  He had a passion for raising and caring for animals at Bayou Ranch.   He tended to your regular farm animals such as cows, pigs, chickens, horses but he is known for his animal husbandry of unique animals.  He raised miniature horses, pygmy goats, orphaned baby raccoons and emus.  One evening, the emus escaped, and the local Sheriff was dispatched to help Gene corral the rogue emus.  The emus caused quite a stir as they attempted to swim to freedom on the lake.  Gene also enjoyed farming; he could often be seen on his Massey Ferguson tractor at Bayou Ranch. While living in California, he owned an almond orchard.

A philosopher and a colorful raconteur, conversations with Gene were thoughtful, deep and lively.  His sense of humor and wit were second to none. He was a prolific writer and has several published books and technical papers.  

Gene is survived by his wife, Sonja Bryan Jones, children, Henry E. Jones III (Connie), Jonathon Bryan Jones (Melinda),  Christopher Eric Jones (Jennifer) and Sherry Michelle Jones, grandchildren, Henry E. Jones IV, Colton Jones, Jonathan Jones, Chelsea Jones, Rachel Jones, Christina Cosgrove,  Christopher Eric Jones Jr., Anna Jones and Amira Moussa and 11 great grandchildren. His is also survived by his siblings, Larry Jones (Jeannie), Dr. Teresa Jones Ross and Dr. Gary Jones (Sissy).

He is predeceased by his parents, Dr. Henry E. Jones Sr. and Rose Marie Bruyninckx Jones, his sister Rose Marie Jones Massingill, and his in-laws, Earl Fischer Bryan and Bonitha MacEacharn Bryan.

His children and grandchildren will cherish and remember how much he cared for their well-being and happiness. Gene was an amazing Father and Grandfather and will be greatly missed by his family.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, January 9, 2023, at 1:00 at the Reagan Cemetery, 200 Roger Miller Rd. Baskin, Louisiana.