Coker Cemetery Association, San Antonio, Texas

Coker Cemetery History #3 - December 2021

by Dr. Tom DeKunder

The Jones Family of the Coker Community WWII Veterans

Few families of Bexar County made the total family commitment to serve during WWII as the Jones family. All four sons of Vivian Lee Jones and Bertha Coker Jones served during WWII in different roles in the U.S. military forces. The “Jones Boys” all played a significant role in the eventual victory of the Allies in WWII.

Garland, the third oldest, was a decorated pilot who flew many missions in North Africa against the German General Rommel. James, the oldest, worked in New Mexico on the top-secret Manhattan Project. Royce, the next oldest, also worked on a secret project as an army soldier decoding the “Enigma” Nazi messages as an attaché for General Eisenhower in England. Royce used to say that he read Hitler’s mail before Hitler did. In an interview for the North East ISD celebration of their 50th anniversary, Royce made reference to their role during the most famous Normandy Invasion which contributed to our victory over Germany. Reginald, the youngest, was a B24 tail gunner in the China-Burma-India Theater of the war.

The ”Jones Boys” are now part of history, certainly their roles in serving during WWII are to be honored at Coker Cemetery as true patriots whose family made the total commitment during WWII. We as Coker kin and members of the Coker community are proud of their service to this country and forever remember their part in preserving freedom for all.

Below is a picture of the “Jones Boys” in 1923 with their parents. Helga Jones, daughter-in-law of Reginald and Bea Jones posted this picture on Facebook.

Bertha Coker Jones with sons (left to right) Reginald Capps Jones, (Vivian) Royce, James Lee and Garland. 1923

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Note: Photos and histories are taken from the Bob Battaglia Coker Cemetery histories #31 and #33 dated April 2014 and April 2015. We are deeply indebted to his many years of collecting and researching the history of the Coker Community and the Coker Cemetery