Father Schneider, Rams Chaplain, SS. Simon & Jude Ex-Pastor, Dies

Father Thomas More Schneider, a former chaplain for the Los Angeles Rams and former pastor of SS. Simon and Jude Catholic Church in Huntington Beach, died Thursday of a heart attack at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, where he was under treatment. He was 68.

An ardent sports fan, Schneider served as chaplain for the Rams during the late 1970s and early 1980s while he was pastor of the Huntington Beach church. Although he retired as pastor about four years ago, he still lived at SS. Simon and Jude Parish rectory and assisted as a chaplain at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian.

Schneider served a total of 19 years as associate pastor and pastor at SS. Simon and Jude Church. A Franciscan priest, he served in various posts in Phoenix, Los Angeles, Portland and Santa Barbara before coming to Huntington Beach. He was a native of Castle Shannon, Pa.

Rosary services will be held at SS. Simon and Jude Church, 20444 Magnolia St., at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, and the funeral Mass will be at the church at 10 a.m. Monday. Burial will be at the Santa Barbara Mission.