Reverend Frank Wiley Jones, born March 4, 1938 in Houston, Texas, beloved Catholic Priest for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston for 44 years, went home to be with the Lord on July 29, 2011. He is preceded in death by his parents , Rose and O.B. Jones, and survived by brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Roma Jones, sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Gary Richter, sister, Mindy Jones, 11 neices and nephews and 19 great neices and nephews, and countless cherished friends. During his remarkable lifetime, he touched everyone whose path he crossed in his pursuit to spread God’s love and joy to all he met.
He was a graduate of St. Mary’s Seminary, ordained on May 27, 1967, and went on to obtain a Master’s of Theology from the University of St. Thomas in 1975. His education included frequent travels to Mexico where he became fluent in Spanish.
He began his ministry as a Priest at Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral, May 1967, followed by St. Frances Cabrini, 1970; St. Jerome, 1974; St. Gregory the Great, 1977 and became a pastor 1978; Blessed Sacrament, 1981; St. Elizabeth Seton and St. Leo Mission, 1984; St. Luke the Evangelist, 1988; Guardian Angel, 1990; St. Mary and Our Lady of Sorrows, 1993; St. Matthias, 1995 until he retired on April 30, 2005 due to health reasons. He also served as one of the Prison Chaplains at Huntsville State Prison for several years.
Fr. Frank had an uncompromising passion for the poor and underprivileged, and was a champion to those in need. He spent much of his time over the course of his distinguished career working with the Spanish community, for which he had a great love. Though Fr. Frank had been retired for 6 years, he continued to say Mass at St. Rafael until recently, when his illness overcame him. He was always cheerful and loving, and had a great sense of humor, despite all of his medical problems. He was an inspiration to all that knew him and a spiritual leader to his family. He will be greatly missed by all, but we are celebrating his glorious entry into the Kingdom of Heaven.
The family would like to thank St. Dominic’s Retirement Center and Nursing Home for their compassionate and loving care of Fr. Frank, along with Vitas Hospice.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., with a Vigil Service beginning at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 3, 2011, at The Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1111 St. Joseph Parkway, Houston, TX 77002. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, August 4, 2011, at The Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, with His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Celebrant and Msgr. Adam S. McClosky, CoCelebrant. Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, 6800 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77025-1499.
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