It is with great sadness that I pass along the news that
Dennis Jones, 55, has lost his battle with cancer. He will be deeply missed by
his wife Van, family, friends, co-workers and the gardening community.
Dennis was a graduate of the University of Texas at
Arlington and the long-time Rosarian at the Fort Worth Botanical Garden. He
also served as the President of the Fort Worth Rose Society. Dennis was
recognized as one of the state’s most knowledgeable rose authorities and
frequently spoke at conferences and educational programs throughout Texas.
Once arriving here in Galveston, Dennis took a job with the
City’s Parks Department. He was instrumental in the revitalization/re-greening of
Broadway and coordinated the planting of annuals and perennials at crossing
intersections. His efforts are a visible reminder of his creative talents and horticultural
know-how.
My friendship with Dennis dates back to early meetings of
the Texas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens Association. It was a great group and
Dennis always had innovative and creative ideas on landscape gardening –
especially when it came to roses.
Most recently, Dennis was a regular participant in the
Galveston Gardening Happy Hours. He often shared plants from his garden or
other specimens he had access to. At one of our last get-togethers, he offered everyone
some crinum lilies he dug up from the Galveston Cemetery. I took a few and
planted them alongside our house - never thinking that they would become living
reminders of my friend Dennis Jones.
