Childhood and Education Journey of Jerry Jones in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 13, 2026

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Jerry Jones. From birth to education, explore key events.

Jerry Jones is the billionaire owner, president, and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, an NFL team. He purchased the team in 1989 and has since been a highly influential, and sometimes controversial, figure in the world of professional football. His leadership has been marked by both success, including Super Bowl victories, and periods of criticism regarding team performance and management decisions. Jones is a prominent personality, actively involved in the Cowboys' operations and often in the public eye.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

October 13, 1942: Jerry Jones' Birth

On October 13, 1942, Jerral Wayne Jones Sr. was born. He is now known as the owner, president, and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys.

1945: Family Move to North Little Rock, Arkansas

In 1945, Jerry Jones' family moved back to North Little Rock, Arkansas.

1957: Witnessing Integration Incident

In 1957, Jerry Jones, then 14, witnessed White students attempting to prevent six African-American students from entering North Little Rock High School during the school's integration.

1960: High School Graduation

In 1960, Jerry Jones graduated from North Little Rock High School where he played as a running back.

1963: Marriage to Eugenia Chambers

In 1963, Jerry Jones married Eugenia Chambers, whom he met as a college undergraduate.

1964: Co-Captained National Championship Football Team

In 1964, Jerry Jones co-captained Arkansas' national championship football team.

1970: Received Master's Degree in Business

In 1970, Jerry Jones received his master's degree in business.

1971: Establishment of Buena Vista Animal Paradise

In 1971, the Jones family started Buena Vista Animal Paradise, a tourist attraction with exotic animals.

1996: Appearance on Coach

In 1996, Jerry Jones appeared as himself in an episode of the television show Coach.

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1998: Cameo in BASEketball and Dallas: War of the Ewings

In 1998, Jerry Jones was the inspiration for a character in the film BASEketball and had a cameo appearance in the made-for-television movie Dallas: War of the Ewings.

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1998: Establishment of the Preston Road Trophy

Since 1998, Jerry Jones's team and Lamar Hunt's Kansas City Chiefs have played for the Preston Road Trophy, commissioned by Hunt to add a competitive nature to their friendship; Jones and Hunt would play pranks on each other when the trophy changed hands.

2007: Diet Pepsi MAX Commercial Appearance

In 2007, Jerry Jones appeared in a television commercial for Diet Pepsi MAX with Wade Phillips and Tony Romo.

2010: Diagnosis with Stage 4 Cancer

In 2010, Jerry Jones was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer; he revealed this information in August 2025.

July 2015: Hip Replacement Surgery

In July 2015, Jerry Jones revealed at a press conference before Cowboys training camp that he had undergone hip replacement surgery.

November 2022: Photo Surfaces Depicting Racial Integration Incident

In November 2022, a 1957 photo surfaced showing a 14-year-old Jerry Jones witnessing White students preventing African-American students from entering North Little Rock High School during integration; Jones expressed regret for not doing more to help the Black students.