Frankie Jones

Frankie Lee “Mutt” Jones: the man, the myth, the legend, passed from this earthly plain at 97 years young on March 3, 2022, at home, comforted by his daughter, Patti, and their canine companion, Lily.

Mutt was born October 2, 1924, to Francis and Opal (Gass) Jones in Roswell, NM. He was married to the love his life, the late Mary Louise (Jennings) Jones on March 10, 1947.  They met while he working as a bouncer at the roller-skating rink originally owned by Boggie Robinson and Ike Moore, on 9th & Virginia when he was 17.

Mutt was a jack of all trades. As a truck driver, he delivered hay to the Army Calvary horses in El Paso and dairies in Las Cruces. He worked for Big Joe lumber unloading lumber from box cars. Mutt and Eddie Gray drove the two highly sought-after Packard taxis Curtis Corn bought for them at 201 Taxi, named as such because 201 was the phone number. He later worked for his brother-in-law, Raymond, at Jennings Showcase & Fixture. As a carpenter, Mutt worked for several contractors: Jim McKnight, building the Capitan school; his brother-in-law, Bob Hutchinson, building homes in Roswell; G. Blackwood, building the bridges on the Hondo River, Spring River, and Berrendo River on Main Street. Mutt went on to build his own home for his family, where he resided until his death.  He worked for O.D. Stevens, as well as Don and Robert O. Anderson, building such landmarks as the Tinnie Silver Dollar and the former Robert O. Anderson home in the Hondo Valley; the Don Anderson home, commonly known as The Hinge in Roswell; and many projects at the Roswell Museum, such as the Robert H. Goddard Planetarium and the Goddard workshop within the museum.  He retired while working for Donald Anderson.

Mutt is survived by his only child, Patti (Jones) Rodak of Roswell; his granddaughter, Holly Ybarra of Lubbock and her husband, BJ, and their children Olivia and Elijah; his grandson, Shane Stamps of Lubbock and his wife, Melissa; and several nieces, nephews, and good friends and neighbors.

Mutt was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary, his brothers, Bobby, Carl, Clarence, JC, Bill, Theodore, a brother that died in infancy, and his sisters, Dorothy Hutchinson and Corinne Stewart.

A graveside service was held at South Park Cemetery on Monday, March 7, 2022.