Jon Frere

Jon was born on March 28, 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Arthur Frere and Jane Best Frere. He earned his undergraduate degree in 1965 at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and his Master’s in Spanish Language and Literature from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1966.

While at Middlebury, he met el amor de su vida Penelope when they were both on a study abroad trip to Madrid, Spain. They married in 1967, launched their careers, and continued their adventures surrounded by students, books, and travel.

A beloved figure for 18 years at Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey from 1966 to 1984, Jon first served as a Spanish teacher and football/lacrosse coach before becoming Athletic Director for the school.

From 1984 to 1989, Jon and Penny lived in Austin, Texas where Jon served as Assistant Head of School for St. Stephens Episcopal School.

In 2005, Jon retired as Head of School for the Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee after serving there since 1989. He and Penny moved to Nashville officially at that time, where they have been ever since---at least when not traveling the world for Jon to lead faculty classes at international schools in Beirut, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paolo, Bangkok, etc. or dancing on one of the 19 music cruises they enjoyed with Delbert McClinton and friends.

A lifelong progressive liberal, always eager to translate or assist Spanish speakers in understanding their rights, Jon helped many Hispanophone Tennesseans get health coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Jon loved talking with strangers and friends, making plates, bowls and vases on his pottery wheel, playing golf, and jokingly referencing two of his claims to fame: making an interception in a college football game and running it to a touchdown—and being the longest baby born in Germantown Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1944.

He was less likely to speak of his many weightier accomplishments or awards he had received, such as being inducted into the Blair Academy Athletic Hall of Fame or the boards he served on helping nonprofits, schools, and individuals. The world was very fortunate indeed to have him for 82 years.

Everywhere Jon worked he cherished his students, athletes, faculty, fellow staff, and alumni, maintaining relationships with many over the years.

Jon was preceded in death by his sister Lynn Anderson and is survived by his wife Penny Frere.

A celebration of Jon’s life will follow later this year.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in this dear man’s honor to entities that were important to him:

Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC), www.tnimmigrant.org

The A. Jon Frere Scholarship at Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey, www.blair.edu/make-a-gift