08:24 PM CST on Thursday, November 11, 2004

By JOE SIMNACHER / The Dallas Morning News

Dale Paschal Jones had business skills that lifted him to the presidency of Halliburton Corp., a multibillion-dollar oil-services corporation. He used those same talents in the private sector to help a host of educational, medical and civic causes as well as his church.

Mr. Jones, 68, died Saturday in a Houston hospital of complications from a head injury.

He struck his head while hurrying under a closing garage door after triggering the device's inside control, his family said. His injury appeared to be a minor but was a subdural hematoma, internal bleeding that puts pressure on the brain.

A memorial service will be at 2:30 p.m. today at Park Cities Baptist Church, 3933 Northwest Parkway. Shuttle parking will be available at Temple Emanu-El. He will be buried in a private ceremony at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery.

"He brought the aspect of the business approach to our organization, but it was his commitment to the mission and the Christian ministry of healing that guided him," said Joel Allison, president and chief executive officer of Baylor Health Care System.

At the time of his death, Mr. Jones was a board member of the Baylor Health Care System, for which he served as chairman from 1998 to 2000. He had also served as a Baylor University regent until May.

"Dale Jones was one of the most honorable regents to serve in Baylor's history," Baylor president Robert Sloan said. "He brought great business experience to our board, an analytical mind and a heart deeply committed to the Christian faith."

Mr. Jones found a spiritual home for his business knowledge in his volunteer work, his family said.

"He felt that there was a ministry aspect to ... helping people," said his son-in-law, Brandon Lackey of Houston. "He felt that the hospital was providing so many needs locally that he could assist in making it more efficient."

Born in Gravette, Ark., Mr. Jones grew up in Mena, Ark., where he graduated from high school. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas in 1958.

After serving in the Air Force, he began his business career as an auditor with Arthur Andersen & Co. in Dallas.

In the mid-1960s, he joined Halliburton Co. as an auditor, serving the corporation in Duncan, Okla., London and Houston. His executive appointments included being president of Halliburton's Welex division and serving on the corporation's executive committee. In October 1987, he became executive vice president of Halliburton's oilfield services division.

In 1989, he moved to Dallas and was named president of Halliburton, a post he held until he was replaced in 1995 by Dick Cheney, the former defense secretary who is now the nation's vice president. In 1995, Mr. Jones was named vice chairman of Halliburton, a position he held until he retired in 1998.

Mr. Jones was a member of Park Cities Baptist Church, where he had been a deacon, a trustee and chairman of the construction committee and was active with the newlywed ministry that mentors young couples.

At the time of his death, Mr. Jones served on the board of directors of Noble Energy Inc. of Houston and Choice Ministries in Roswell, Ga.

In addition to his son-in-law, Mr. Jones is survived by his wife, Anita Collier Jones of Dallas; two daughters, Lee Anna Lackey of Houston and Leisa Winters of Katy; a brother, Bill Jones of Fort Worth; a stepfather, Jess Fowler of Mena, Ark., and five grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Choice Ministries in Roswell, Ga., the Baylor Health Care System Foundation in Dallas, or Baylor University in Waco.