Retired general continues 4th of July tradition of cheering up homeless in Killeen with ice cream and cupcakes

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - An 89-year-old retired Army Lieutenant General spent his 4th of July as he has for more than a decade by delivering cupcakes and treats to the homeless.

Lt. General Don Jones, of Killeen, has made the special deliveries to Friends in Crisis, a homeless shelter operated by the nonprofit Families in Crisis, in Killeen, since it opened its doors in 2015.

William Hall is the director of operations for Families in Crisis and says General Jones never misses a day of duty on holidays.

“General Jones has donated cupcakes and ice cream every 4th of July since we opened the doors and has been a big supporter of the Friends in Crisis Homeless shelter since it started,” Hall said.

The delivery included chocolate and vanilla cupcakes with icing, all of which were decorated in red, white and blue.

He also took Blue Bell Ice Cream for the homeless residents, many which he says over time have included veterans.

Jones is a board member of the Friends in Crisis Homeless Shelter, but he volunteers many more hours than monthly board meetings. The retired general is a regular at the shelter, dropping off food, clothes and just about anything he can give that will help those in need.

Jones’ nonprofit board appointment came following a decorated military career. Jones first entered the U.S Army as a private in 1958.

He attended The United States Army Officer Candidate School and then went onto the United States Army War College before being promoted to a three-star-general, the second-highest rank achievable in the U.S. Army.

His path in rising through the ranks was rare.

“It was unheard of,” his wife, Betty, said.

Jones’ military career took him around the world but, eventually, landed him back home at the former Fort Hood, where Jones had spent five tours of duty.

In his three plus decades in uniform, Jones held several command and staff positions, culminating his career serving under Dick Cheney as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Manpower and Personnel Policy, Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Following his army retirement in 1991, Jones joined the staff of the American Red Cross, where he served as Senior Vice President for Chapter Services until 2000.

His passion has always been in helping others which, he said, is a trait he came by naturally.

Jones talked with KWTX in 2022 about his reasons for giving back.

“I grew up in a very fine home with a Christian family who did a lot of things in our community,” he said. “You’d be surprised how many people would show up at our house around lunchtime and my mother would feed them, so I had some good insight on helping people.”

Jones has volunteered to help Gold Star Families, local veterans and he’s taken a special interest in the homeless since turning 80.

“They really do appreciate it,” Jones said of his work at the shelter. “They would be living under a bridge, wet and cold, without this. This is by necessity, not choice.”

The retired general provides cupcakes and ice cream every holiday for those without a place to call home.

The cupcakes always have a good theme.

He’s dropped off green cupcakes for St. Patrick’s Day, red, white and blue cupcakes for the 4th of July and even gifted 71 boxes of candy for the ladies on Valentine’s Day.

“They were crying saying, ‘you don’t know how much this means to us.’ They were so touched that somebody was doing something for them,” Jones said.

Over the past several years, Betty has asked her husband to celebrate her birthday on March 17 by giving to the shelter instead of buying her a gift.

“My wife said on her birthday ‘don’t get me a present. Take that money and give it to the shelter.’ So, I am really proud of her,” he said.

“He never meets a stranger and talks to every soldier he meets and anyone else that wants to chat with him,” Betty said.

“He loves people.”

“He is a very big supporter and makes sure that the clients have something special for each and every holiday that we have,” Hall added.

Betty, tells News 10 this year’s 4th of July delivery also included toys for kids in the shelter.

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