David Lloyd Jones, a former Tulsa Tribune executive and journalist, and a member of one of Tulsa's preeminent newspaper families, died Monday of complications from leukemia.

He was 79.

A memorial service is set for 4 p.m. May 31 at All Souls Unitarian Church. Stanleys Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Jones was the son of the late Jenk Jones Sr., longtime Tribune editor and publisher. He was the younger brother of Tribune editor and publisher Jenk Jones Jr.

David Jones would enjoy almost 30 years himself with the Tribune, starting in 1964 as a reporter and going on to serve as its Washington, D.C., correspondent.

Among other roles, after seven years with the Washington bureau, Jones returned to Tulsa to become entertainment editor. In 1982, he was promoted to vice president, in which post he focused on promotions and special projects. He continued to write columns — including The Rambler, a column originally started by his father — and film reviews, as well as editorials.

"He was a gentle soul — almost too gentle for the rough-and-tumble business of journalism. But he was a superb writer," Jones Jr. said of his brother.

Coming from a family of writers, each with their own unique style, "David had a nice, soft, light touch," he added. He could handle hard news well, but most of all "liked to write things that made people feel good … make them happy."

Particularly during his time as Washington correspondent, Jones enjoyed a reputation as a fearless and versatile interviewer.

And not just of political figures. Once while visiting England, he took a chance and knocked unannounced on the door of reclusive author John Fowles.

His pluck paid off: Fowles invited Jones in for an afternoon beer and an in-depth interview, which would become one of the first major interviews with the author of "The French Lieutenant's Woman" to be published in the U.S.

As stated later of Jones in an article: "There are not that many Washington correspondents who could discuss literature with John Fowles and politics with (then-U.S. Speaker of the House) Carl Albert."

An Army veteran, David Jones attended Tulsa Public Schools before graduating from Choate School in Wallingford, Connecticut. He held a bachelor's degree in English from Denison University in Granville, Ohio.

After the Tribune's closure in 1992, Jones turned to his other big love — books — opening and operating the Happy Griffin bookstore.

Survivors include his wife, Martha Jones; three children, Alicia (Lisa) Jones, Melissa (Mimi) Jones and Matthew Jones; his brother, Jones Jr.; and a sister, former Tribune columnist Georgia Snoke.

via www.tulsaworld.com