Russell Dean Jones May 2, 1956 ~ June 1, 2022 (age 66)

Visitation for Russell Jones, 66, of Portales will be from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sat., June 4, 2022 at Wheeler Mortuary.  A memorial service will be announced at a later time.

Russell Dean Jones was born May 2, 1956, in Portales, to the home of Lou Neva (Morrow) and Tommy Aldean Jones and died in Amarillo, TX on June 1, 2022.  Mr. Jones lived the majority of his life in Portales, graduating from Portales High School in 1974.  For several years, he lived in Tucumcari where he managed the local Denney’s Restaurant, and also for a period of time had a drive-in restaurant of his own.  He later completed a Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern New Mexico University in Political Science in 1999, and was working toward his Master’s.  As long as his health allowed, he was an instructor at the university.  For the past several years he was in poor health.  For enjoyment, he worked in his shop doing wood working and some metal work.  He also enjoyed bowling and playing chess.

He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Luann and Fredrick Gallegos of Hobbs, NM; his nieces Angela Gallegos and Michelle (Michael) Cavazos and his nephews, Arthur Lucero and Caleb Gallegos; and his great-nieces and nephews, Jodiace Lucero, Davian Frosto, Demitrius Frosto, Caleb Gallegos, Evyn Gallegos and Javin Marydith.  He was preceded in death by both of his parents.