Marlin Ray Jones, Jr.

Marlin Ray Jones, Jr., 80, passed away December 11, 2022 at his home after a brief

illness. Visitation will be Thursday, December 15 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. The funeral will be Friday, December 16, at 10:00 a.m. at Mangum Funeral Home with Bro. Keith Keele officiating. Interment and grave side service will follow at Jones Cemetery on County Road 3737.

Ray was born in Center to Marlin Ray Jones and Maurene Borders Jones on August 6,1942. He was raised in Center and attended Center public schools graduating Center High

School in 1960. He continued his education at Baylor before transferring to SFA and completing his degree there. He then went to work at Center Motor Company, the family business. Ray’s father died in 1967 when Ray was 25 years old. At that time he had five younger siblings ranging all the way down to 9. Ray undertook management of Center Motor Company for his mother. He continued in that capacity until 1980 when he acquired ownership of thebusiness. Ray often said that making money at a dealership in rural East Texas without a truckline was difficult, but he succeeded.

In 1989, Ray acquired Whiteside Chevrolet in Timpson and relocated the dealership to its present location on Highway 96 in Center. His son, Marlin, manages that business.

In 1990, Ray purchased Parker Motor Company, the local Ford dealership, from Frank Edward Parker. He moved the Lincoln Mercury dealership into that location on ShelbyvilleStreet and operated the combined business under the Center Motor Company name.

In 2004, Ray bought American Outdoor Power, the Polaris, Kawasaki, and Yamaha ATV dealership in Timpson. He relocated that business to a location next door to Center Motor Company on Shelbyville Street in Center. That business now operates in that same location under the name Center Motor Company ATV.

In 2015, Ray acquired land on Hurst Street and built the current Center Motor Company building. That building is a state of the art Ford dealership that will serve this area for many years to come. Rays son, Kevin, manages that dealership.

Ray’s death ends an extremely successful business career of over fifty years. He leaves two auto dealerships and an ATV dealership for his boys.He is preceded by death his parents, Marlin Ray Jones and Maurene Borders Jones, wife, Jane Ellen Jones, and Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, Dan Parker and Virginia Parker,

He is survived by:

Sons:

Marlin Jones III and wife, Anna of Center

Kevin Jones and wife, Jennifer of Center

Grandchildren:

Collin Jones

Ryan Jones

Camille Jones

April Stephens

Ava Stephens Kyle

Great Grandchild:

Jaylee Arbuckle

Special Friend:

Mary Owens

Brothers and Sister:

Jeff Jones and wife, Karen

Mike Jones and wife, Cherry

Deck Jones and wife, Montie

Jennifer Wulf and husband, Tim

Jack Jones and wife, Betty

Numerous Nieces and Nephews

Brother-in-law Danny Parker and wife, Cindi

Sister-in-law Teresa Parker

Pallbearers:

Collin Jones, Ryan Jones, Terry Scull, Drew Scull, John Michael Burns, and Michael Haley

Honorary Pallbearers:

Johny Covington, Sammy Dance, Fred Borders, Dan Fussell, and Mark Matthews

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Catherine Pinkston Scholarship