Alfred W. “Fred” Jones 1927–2019
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By Webster Bull
Fred Jones didn’t run four-ball breaks usually. His three-ball was so precise, so deadly, that “why bother?” A master of the American 6-wicket game, Fred said that carrying a fourth ball around the lawn only increased the risk-reward ratio. If you broke down, worse news. Except that Fred never broke down. Not against this writer, anyway.
Last winter, the co-founder of the largest public croquet club in America sidled up to me and, with his customary combination of sass and tenderness, said, “You know, you never beat me.” By then, it was too late for revenge. Going on 92, undergoing dialysis nine hours a night but still vital, Fred played only doubles in competition during his last years. In tournaments they entered together, Fred was happy to let Jackie drive. His wife and co-founder of the Sarasota County Croquet Club in Venice, Fla., Jackie Jones told Fred Jones what to do and Fred Jones did it. Perfectly. Fred Jones died on November 26, 2019, on an otherwise perfect day for him. He was at the club, taught a clinic in the morning, played a little and presided over the weekly Attitude Adjustment meeting, where he was his usual sharp, witty self. He had dinner at home with his bride of 33 years and died peacefully while watching a movie on TV. At the memorial service the following week, scores of fellow croquet players showed up in white. Mourning on the inside, they expressed joy and solidarity on the outside, remembering Fred Jones as a championship croquet player, teacher, model and beloved friend. Alfred W. Jones was born in New Bedford, Mass., and graduated from the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and Tufts University College of Engineering. He served on active duty in the US Navy during the Korean War, and after 31 years of service, retired from the US Naval Reserve with the rank of Captain. In the Reserves, he had command of a training ship and headed Reserve Mine Division 21. As a civilian, he retired from the Micro Switch Division of Honeywell. Fred discovered the American game in the 1980s in Newport, R.I. Jackie has the story: Still dating, not married to Jackie yet, Fred played backyard 9-wicket with Jackie’s two sons, who, she says, were constantly changing the rules on Fred. Certain there must be
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Photo provided by Johnny Mitchell
a rulebook somewhere, Fred attended a tournament with Jackie at the Newport Casino Croquet Club, where they walked in on Deb Prentis taking on Bob Kroeger, which impressed Jackie as much as Fred. Soon Fred was taking lessons from Kroeger. Fred, Kroeger said, was a natural: “He had one of the best singleball shots of anyone; he could make roquets like it was going out of style.” Fred became involved helping Foxy Carter, then regional vice-president of the USCA and later its second president. Fred put up a shingle as a croquet pro and began running a popular Labor Day tournament at the Casino Club. In time, Fred would become deeply involved with the USCA and its management, serving on the tournament committee and as chairman of the American-rules handicapping committee.
