Father Frederick (Fred) Michael Jones, 80, of Los Angeles formerly of Avoca, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully March 19, 2015 after a lengthy illness. Fred was very prepared and ready to be received into the loving and open arms of his creator. It is the peacefulness with which Fred was able to transition to his next calling that he would wish for all of us who cared about him to have as a memory.
Fred was born June 21, 1934 in Chicago the son of William and Natalia (Ottmar) Jones. Fred spent the first many years of his professional life as a Parish Priest at many churches throughout Wisconsin. From 1961-1967 Fred served St. James Parish in Madison; during this time he was also the Chaplain for Madison General Catholic Services. He was also a teacher at Edgewood High School teaching religion. His time at St. James was followed by serving the Parish of St. William in Janesville from 1967-1970; he was also a teacher during this time at Beloit Catholic High School. From 1970-1973 he served at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Madison. The next parish that Fred was proud to serve was St. Joseph in Avoca where he worked from 1973-1977; during this time Fred was also teaching at Redemption Minor Seminary. The next parish where Fred was proud to serve was Holy Rosary in Darlington from 1977-1985; this was followed by time at St. John in Jefferson from 1985-1988 and finally St. Claire in Baraboo from 1988-1990. He served as the Director of the Lay Missions for the Madison Diocese from 1968-1979. Fred was deeply honored to have served all of the Churches and found his work very rewarding and gratifying.
In 1990 Fred made the move to Hollywood, CA where he started working at Van Ness Recovery House. Fred worked for Van Ness Recovery House providing drug and alcohol counseling along with spiritual support to those residents wanting a deeper understanding of their spiritual journey. Fred was always there to offer a hug and a generous smile to any newly sober resident walking around lost and confused. Early recovery can be very scary and Fred always knew when unconditional love and caring was needed-his heart had no boundaries and his ability to love was limitless. In 2010 Fred retired from Van Ness Recovery House as a counselor but still volunteered every week helping out with groups and other support as needed. During this time Fred also served as a trusted servant at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hollywood, CA, this brought Fred great joy and a sense of continuing his religious service.
There was nothing that brought Fred more joy than his love of musicals and the opera; since coming to Hollywood, Fred always bought two tickets to anything he went to and his goal was to introduce as many as possible to the "Arts.'
Fred was preceded in death by his father William, mother Natalia, step-mother Mabel, and brother William.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Avoca, Wisconsin with burial to follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials in Fred's name may be directed to Serra Retreat Center, 3401 Serra Rd, Malibu, CA 90265 or Van Ness Recovery House, 1919 N. Beachwood Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90068. The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements. prattfuneralservice.com
Fred was born June 21, 1934 in Chicago the son of William and Natalia (Ottmar) Jones. Fred spent the first many years of his professional life as a Parish Priest at many churches throughout Wisconsin. From 1961-1967 Fred served St. James Parish in Madison; during this time he was also the Chaplain for Madison General Catholic Services. He was also a teacher at Edgewood High School teaching religion. His time at St. James was followed by serving the Parish of St. William in Janesville from 1967-1970; he was also a teacher during this time at Beloit Catholic High School. From 1970-1973 he served at St. Bernard's Catholic Church in Madison. The next parish that Fred was proud to serve was St. Joseph in Avoca where he worked from 1973-1977; during this time Fred was also teaching at Redemption Minor Seminary. The next parish where Fred was proud to serve was Holy Rosary in Darlington from 1977-1985; this was followed by time at St. John in Jefferson from 1985-1988 and finally St. Claire in Baraboo from 1988-1990. He served as the Director of the Lay Missions for the Madison Diocese from 1968-1979. Fred was deeply honored to have served all of the Churches and found his work very rewarding and gratifying.
In 1990 Fred made the move to Hollywood, CA where he started working at Van Ness Recovery House. Fred worked for Van Ness Recovery House providing drug and alcohol counseling along with spiritual support to those residents wanting a deeper understanding of their spiritual journey. Fred was always there to offer a hug and a generous smile to any newly sober resident walking around lost and confused. Early recovery can be very scary and Fred always knew when unconditional love and caring was needed-his heart had no boundaries and his ability to love was limitless. In 2010 Fred retired from Van Ness Recovery House as a counselor but still volunteered every week helping out with groups and other support as needed. During this time Fred also served as a trusted servant at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Hollywood, CA, this brought Fred great joy and a sense of continuing his religious service.
There was nothing that brought Fred more joy than his love of musicals and the opera; since coming to Hollywood, Fred always bought two tickets to anything he went to and his goal was to introduce as many as possible to the "Arts.'
Fred was preceded in death by his father William, mother Natalia, step-mother Mabel, and brother William.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Avoca, Wisconsin with burial to follow in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials in Fred's name may be directed to Serra Retreat Center, 3401 Serra Rd, Malibu, CA 90265 or Van Ness Recovery House, 1919 N. Beachwood Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90068. The Pratt Funeral and Cremation Service is assisting the family with their arrangements. prattfuneralservice.com