Jim Cone

James "Jim" Edwin Cone, 88, of Clifton passed away on April 4, 2023 at Baylor Scott and White. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday, April 7, 2023 at First Baptist Church, Clifton. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. (9:00-10:00) A.M. Burial will take place at 10:15 A.M. Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at DFW National Cemetery.

Jim Cone was born on August 14, 1934 in Dallas, Texas to Clarence and Mary Cone. His sister Nancy was born three years after Jim.  He grew up in Dallas attending schools there and graduated from North Dallas High School in 1952.  He then attended North Texas State University. He married his high school sweetheart Barbara MacKinnon on September 4, 1954.  After graduation from NTSU, he entered the United States Air Force. The young couple was stationed in Kansas. The young couple lost their first son and Jim  was diagnosed with polio while in the Air Force and had to take a medical discharge in 1961. The couple returned to Dallas, Texas where Jim was employed by Texas Instruments in the Accounting Department.

Three more children were born to their marriage, Vicki, Debbie, and Robert. The couple raised their children being active in school and church activities. They were a part of the Royal Haven Baptist Church and were active in all aspects of the church ministry and activities. Jim sang in the choir and coached the girls’ church league softball team which had his wife and both daughters on the team.

After his work at Texas Instruments and raising his family, Jim took a job with Boise Cascade as the Comptroller. Over the next 15-20 years they moved with Boise Cascade to DeRidder, La., Boise, Idaho, Pasco, Washington and Reno, Nevada. After their time with Boise Cascade, they returned to Texas.

While in Boise, they took up buying, selling, and collecting antiques. They moved here to Clifton in 1992 to help care for Jim’s mother Mary and to open up American Nostalgia Antiques. They specialized in antique and vintage glassware. They made annual trips to Round Top in the Spring and usually did a number of antique shows per year in the Tyler area and in the McAllen area.  They also operated an antique booth for a number of years in Baird, Texas and still operate a booth in the Bosque Emporium.

Jim and Barbara became very active in the First Baptist Church where they served as Directors of a young and median adult Sunday School Class.

Jim served as the Church Financial Secretary for a number of years, sang in the choir, served as a deacon and served on a number of committees and ministry teams.

The couple was active in the Bosque Baptist Association serving for many years in various positions. Jim served on the board of directors of the Association and on the Latham Springs Baptist Encampment board while Barbara served in the Associational Women’s Missionary Union. They both served many years as messengers to the Baptist General Convention of Texas and went on two mission trips to Guatemala and the Dominican Republic.

Jim loved to play table games, enjoyed golf, and travel. They have been able to travel with family and friends across the years. He enjoyed his grandchildren and their activities and was a lover of sports.

Jim will be remembered for his jovial spirit, his love of a good meal, his optimistic outlook, and his enjoyment of a practical joke or two. He had a joyous Christian faith and deep conviction for his beliefs. He was proud of his military service and will be buried in the Veteran’s Cemetery in Dallas.

He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence and Mary Cone, and by his first son James E. Cone Jr.

He is survived by his wife Barbara of Clifton, His daughters Vicki Crawley of Dallas, Debbie Stokes and husband Kyle of Dallas, a son Robert “Rob” and wife Tina of Dallas and five grandchildren.  Kelsey, Nolan, Laney, Carson,  and  Kevin. He is also survived by one sister Nancy Cone of Clifton and a host of friends and other relatives.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Clifton or the Paralyzed Veterans.