Fred Jones

Fred O. Jones went ahead of his beloved family to check out Heaven on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, at the age of 78.

Always the protector, Fred loved his family fiercely.

He married the love of his life, Pamela Ann Hahs, at the tender age of 20, and they spent 57 years sharing adventures together and raising their three children, Jolie (Brian) McCallister, Frederick (Shirlee Wilson) Jones and Polly (Kent) Koch. Fred and Pam were keen on adventure, traveling to all 50 states and celebrating their romance in Paris — three times. They especially loved collecting seashells on Sanibel Island, Florida, with dear friends, Laura and Steve Avakian.

Fred was born May 11, 1944, to Edgar O. and Kathleen Rhodes Jones in San Francisco. He was raised in Missouri by his mother and Grandma Belle Proffer, while his father served his country as a chief petty officer in the Navy. He is survived by his siblings, Gerald (Clarice) Jones of Jackson, Nancy Jones of Wisconsin and Joe Mike (Helga) Jones of North Dakota; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces/nephews.

Fred was a true artist, constantly collecting oil paintings and creating his own masterpieces, displayed proudly in his home and family's homes. With every trip he took, an art museum was on the itinerary. He was the ninth grade art teacher at R.O. Hawkins Junior High in Jackson School District for 19 years, where he ignited an appreciation of the arts in thousands of students through his "Art Olympics," Saint Louis Art Museum field trips, city park photography sessions and "Starry Starry Night" Van Gogh slide montages.

Fred developed lifelong friendships through his years at Jackson High School as the quarterback of the football team and, later, as a teacher and coach. These friendships resulted in weekly lunches, camping and canoeing trips and many rowdy poker games, where he lightened the pockets of those friends.

Fred was called to leave the classroom and move into administration, where he served as an assistant high school principal, athletic director and assistant superintendent, before retiring as the associate superintendent in 2000. Always a staunch supporter of Jackson schools, he decided to help neighboring rival school, Cape Girardeau Central, as their school safety officer. Following that, he was director of the Southeast Missouri Regional School Safety Center, which served 69 schools and 17 counties, until his retirement in 2012. However, his favorite assignment was serving as a substitute principal for kindergarten students at Primary Annex in Jackson.

During this time, Fred's children were busily supplying him with eight beautiful granddaughters and one brilliant grandson, Mallory (Farooq) Zaman, Madeline (Austin) Sander and Mabrey McCallister, Jasmine and Eli Jones, and Brittney, Khloe, Abby and Grace Koch.

Fred and Pam doted on their grandbabies, caring for them in their home while their young parents worked — all three in education. They stayed busy driving the grandchildren to school and attending their many activities, from track meets to dance recitals and science fairs. Fred spoiled his grandchildren, making frequent trips to area fast-food restaurants to deliver their favorite treats and always greeting them with his signature kiss on the head.

As an artist, Fred saw beauty in everything, and especially enjoyed reflecting on his blessings in nature. He enjoyed solitude in God's creation, twice hiking the Grand Canyon, rim to rim — which he joked was "a walk in the park." As an educator, he never stopped learning and was an avid reader of religious and historical texts, collecting biographies on every U.S. president. Despite his many interests, his favorite times were spent with family. As he wrote in his 1975 journal, "I will always be rich and happy if I have my family together."

Fred was a longtime member of New McKendree United Methodist Church in Jackson, where he taught Sunday school and led Bible studies developed from his own research.

In lieu of flowers, consider contributing to the Fred O. Jones Memorial Scholarship Fund. Checks should be made to the Jackson R-2 School Foundation, with a memo for Fred O. Jones Scholarship.

A celebration of Fred's life will be held Sunday, Dec. 11, at New McKendree UMC in uptown Jackson. Visitation will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The Rev. Bryan Wendling and the Rev. Jimmie Corbin will conduct the funeral at 2:30 p.m. at the church. Interment will follow at Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Arrangements are by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the "Tribute Wall" tab of Fred's obituary article at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.