29 July 1919 to 1 May 2007
John will be remembered for his dependability, his determination, his loyalty, and particularly his can do attitude; his affection for Shropshire, Sport, the Parkinson’s Disease Society, the Church, and the Army; and for being a memorable Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather.
He was born in 1919 and had a rural upbringing near Shrewsbury. This developed his lifelong interest in the countryside, his fondness of animals, and a hearty interest in food combined with thrifty living. This period also developed his deep and enduring affection for Shropshire. He failed the French section of Matriculation, a language skill that he has passed on to all of his children. His first job was with the Midland Bank in the era of hand written ledgers and where the bank had just one phone - Wellington 15. This beginning may be why he never really got to grips with computers.
He was conscripted into the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry in 1939. This was the start of a 29 year career that he genuinely enjoyed although there were stressful periods. Whilst he was in the infantry he took part in an endurance march in full fighting order with weapon, and completed 98 miles in 24 hours. He was one of few in the battalion to complete this distance. It was an early example of his physical fitness, mental endurance and determination. Later he would climb Mount Kilimanjaro – not once but twice.
In 1942 he transferred to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and specialised in repairing radio communications equipment. After the War he was responsible for maintaining the secure communications equipment in the Cabinet War Rooms. Later he was in Malta when it became the communications hub for the Suez Crisis. He made the most of every posting and the family had many interesting experiences in Malta, Kenya, and Anglesey.
In 1968 he retired and took a Company Secretary’s post in Stoke. Unfortunately the firm collapsed after 3 years. In a totally new venture, Dad and Anthony ran a Newsagents in Chell Heath, a challenging area of Stoke. This was very successful but with long hours and virtually no days off.
After five years, in another complete change, they bought a prepared vegetable business in Bournemouth, supplying local hotels, restaurants and hospitals. In one way it was not a change, as the long hours and virtually no days off continued, with the addition of copious amounts of cold water and repetitive heavy lifting. Dad’s competitive streak came into play and he saw no reason why a man approaching sixty should be beaten by anything, an attitude that would continue for the next 20 plus years.
In 1983 John’s wife Barbara was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and he became an attentive and compassionate carer. They joined the Poole and District Branch of the Parkinson’s Disease Society. He contributed as a Committee Member, Fund Raiser, Chairman and finally as President. John was one of the first to be awarded Life Membership for his contribution to the society.
John was always a keen sportsman, a competitive footballer, athlete and later squash player. In his late 60s and early 70s he ran five London Marathons, all around the 4 hour mark. He was third in his age group for two years in succession. He raised over £14,000 in sponsorship for the Parkinson’s Disease Society. In his later years he still liked to keep active; by sawing logs at Hopewell or going to the Gym.
He was also a keen watcher of sport, principally athletics and football. In fact it is family folklore that the first Television was only bought because of the 1972 Munich Olympics. He also enjoyed card games, which he played with almost professional zeal, a skill honed in his early days in the Army where he was often able to double his pay playing Poker.
In recent years his jars of marmalade and pickled onions, and the collection of "useful" things in the garage contributed to many a stall at Church fetes, Mothers’ Union, and Parkinson’s meetings.
John was a complex man with simple principles and a strong Christian ethic. His overriding attribute was that he liked to get things done. He will be missed by all that his life touched.
Born 
