Born on a cotton farm near Meeker, Oklahoma, Leslie Farell Jones left the farm at age thirteen to work at the Bank of Meeker, beginning a banking career that lasted more than 50 years until his death in 1974. Known affectionately as L.F., he became a steady force in developing and guiding his community and its leaders, quietly encouraging others without seeking personal glory or recognition. Loyal and dependable, he helped numerous young couples as they began businesses or careers and took satisfaction in seeing them succeed. The Yale community, young and old, benefited culturally and economically from his gifts of time, money, and leadership, and he was widely regarded as a friend of farmers, cattlemen, and businessmen alike. His only hobby was raising cattle, and at the time of his death he was among the pioneers in implant breeding and proudly showed his cattle operation whenever he could. Despite occasional disappointment in others, he never wavered in his belief in the goodness of people and in the principle that a man was as good as his word. He served as a member and officer of numerous civic organizations, supported schools and churches, and was well known and respected in banking circles throughout Oklahoma. At the time of his death, he was chairman of the Board of Directors of the First Bank and Trust Company of Sand Springs and Yale, a director of the Mannford State Bank and Sooner Life Insurance Company, and was affiliated with numerous other business entities. His legacy endured in the lives of those he encouraged and trusted when others doubted them.