********************************************************************** Eric Lynn Jones 18 January 2015 ********************************************************************** JONES, Eric Lynn 1935-2015 Eric Jones, of Austin, Texas, passed away January 18, 2015, while surrounded with love by his family and a few close friends. Eric was born to the late Grover and Laura Jones April 4, 1935, in Lacy Lakeview, a small community just outside of Waco, Texas. He grew up there along with brother Grover Jones, and sisters Laura Dobbs, and Neva Haslbauer (deceased). Upon finishing high school, Eric attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. During this time Eric married his first wife, Barbara Gayle White, and had two boys, Steven and Derek Jones. On August 1,1981, he was married to Joye McGrede Bergstrom, who brought Eric's third son, Lance Bergstrom to the marriage. Eric's business career was broad and rewarding. He spent 25 years at Texas Instruments, beginning as an engineer in 1959 and rising to the ranks of corporate Vice President and President of TI's Data Systems Group, before leaving TI in 1985 for a second career in venture capital. Eric's engineering background, management ability, and people/leader- ship skills served him well in partnership roles with venture capital firms including Sevin Rosen Funds, Memphis-based SSM Ventures, Verity Ventures and CenterPoint Ventures. Eric routinely served as an active chairman, providing guidance in strategic and operational decisions, recruitment of senior management teams, partnerships and financing. Eric and his teams shared in the success and development of various companies to include Tobin Data Graphics/GITI, VTEL Corporation, Tivoli Systems, Inc., Active Power, Motive Communications, Dazel Corporation, NetBotz, Fuego, 360 Commerce and Integral Wave Technol- ogies. Eric was recognized as the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year in 2006, as a Supporter of Entrepreneurship, and in 2008 was the recipient of the University of Texas Mechanical Engineering Academy of Distinguished Alumni Mechanical Engineering Hall of Fame award. In spite of all of his successes and accomplishments, those who knew Eric will agree that his most admirable quality was as an all-around, ego-free, good guy. Friends and family came first, including his precious dog Shasta, with whom he is now reunited. He loved fast cars, and traveling, especially if that travel meant a trip to an Indy Car race! He was also a fan and staunch supporter of UT and SMU athletics. Eric is survived by his wife Joye Jones, and three children: Steve Jones of Georgetown, Texas, with his wife April and granddaughters Lauren and Meagan; Derek Jones of Cedar Park, Texas, and granddaughter Katrina and grandson Benjamin; and Lance Bergstrom with Catie Brooks of Allen, Texas. During the past year, he was also blessed by the presence of three wonderful caregivers - Ariana Sanchez, Joan Gray, and Aydee Martinez, who are now a part of the Jones family. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Bethany United Methodist Church or The University of Texas at Austin School of Mechanical Engineering. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2015 at Bethany United Methodist Church, 10010 Anderson Mill Road in Austin, Texas. Arrangements by Weed-Corley-Fish Lake Travis - (512) 263-1511. Obituary and guestbook available online at: http://tributes.com/Eric-Jones See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/obituary.aspx?n=eric-lynn-jones&pid=173941940&fhid=26736#sthash.dvRkr23P.dpuf