Larry “L.J.” Jones, 18, of Spurger, died Monday, April 22, 2013.  He was born on April 1, 1995, in Beaumont, to Melissa Chance and Larry Jones.   

L.J. was a senior at Warren High School where he was in the top four of his class.  He was in band and attended State competition for solo and ensemble as well as competing in UIL science and math.  L.J. loved animals; he was known as the “squirrel whisperer”, and was in the Future Farmers of America and National Honor Society.  He also showed animals at the Houston Livestock Show, Tyler County Fair, and Southeast Texas State Fair.  After graduating, L.J. would have been attending Texas A&M in the fall and planned on pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering.  He attended Freedom Fellowship and was a pillar in the youth group. 

Survivors include his parents, Missy and Daniel Nicholson; sisters, Jessica Nicholson and Jackie Jones; brothers, Matthew Nicholson and Chris Landers; grandparents, Joyce Elaine Philips and her husband, Roy, of Hemphill; CoCo and Freddie Chance of Fred; Heidi and Bob Nicholson of Mena, Arkansas; aunts and uncles, Naomi and Dale Chance of Silsbee; Pam and Robert Nicholson of Spurger; and Shannon Simmons of Beaumont; and numerous cousins.  He is preceded in death by his father, Larry F. Jones.

A gathering of L.J.’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, April 25, 2013, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee.  His funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, April 26, 2013, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Franks Branch Cemetery, Fred.