Hollywood, Church Honor Late Actor Dean Jones
LOS ANGELES- Friends, family members and people from the Hollywood community gathered Saturday at Church on the Way in Van Nuys to honor the life of Dean Jones, stage and screen star who died September 1 at age 84.
Jones is best known for his starring role "The Love Bug" and other Disney films of the 60's and 70's. Friends drove several Volkswagens, including two that appeared in the movies, to the site of the service to honor him.
Despite Jones's film and theatre success, the emphasis in the memorial service was on his deep Christian faith and the spiritual legacy he left to friends and family.
Several speakers also recognized his work on behalf of persecuted Christians and people of other faiths from around the world who have been threatened with death.
Pat Boone, a friend of Jones for decades, hosted the service. The Rev. Jack Hayford served communion. Hayford is the founder and former pastor of Church on the Way, where Jones and his wife served as elders.
Boone, a fellow elder, noted that Jones had now put aside his earthly body, and has heard the Lord saying, "Wait until you see the home I have prepared for you, so that where I am, you may be also."
Jones's wife Lory and others in his family testified to the inheritance of faith and love he left to them. His son-in-law recalled, "I literally never heard him utter an unkind word about anyone--ever."
In addition to dozens of film acting credits, Jones played the apostle John in a one-man stage production, "St. John in Exile," which one reviewer called" "phenomenal."
His fellow actor and friend, Emmy Award winner Gavin McLeod, delivered a message by video, praising Jones's ability as an actor and as a mentor in the Christian faith. He said God "has us all in special places to get the word out that Jesus is Lord." McLeod closed his message with a gesture from one of his television characters, Captain Merrill Stubing of "The Love Boat." His voice choking with emotion, he said, "Dean Jones, I salute you."
