Larue Jon Jones, 84, of Houston, Texas, formerly of Pawnee, Illinois, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. Larue was born Sept. 1, 1936, in Taylorville, the son of Harry L. and Alberta Ruth Tolliver Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, David Jones, in 2010. Larue was a member of the Clear Lake United Methodist Church in Houston and a U.S. Air Force veteran who completed four years of service. He graduated from Pawnee High School in 1954 and the University of Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy in Rolla. Larue worked in the defense and space industry in Houston, including for United Space Alliance, a company that worked on contracts and projects for NASA. During his career at United Space Alliance, he was recognized for his leadership and planning for the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, which involved the implementation and testing of space shuttle upgrades for safer space flights. Larue is survived by three sisters, Linda L. Bogan of Springfield, Sharon A. (husband, Edward) Highland of Shepherdsville, Kentucky, and Donna Yost of Springfield; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. A graveside service will be held at 12:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at Horse Creek Cemetery in Pawnee with Pastor Marty Montgomery officiating. The Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be sent to the donor's local food pantry or to a charity of choice. Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is serving the family of Larue Jones. Online condolences may be expressed at www.curryfh.com.