Mclearon, John. Passed 2nd September 2020

John was at the school from 1944-1954 and will be sadly missed by his friends and family.

We are conscious that many people from this time at school may not be in contact with us and we would be very grateful if you could pass on this information to those that you know.

As is the usual practice, we would like to place an obituary for him in the next OI Journal and would be very grateful if anyone felt they could come forward to write one. Alternatively, if you know of any stories or memories, please pass them on so we could put them together for the next publication. Address any contributions to me through oldipswichians@ipswich.school or in the comments below.

With best wishes
Iain Chesterman
OI Chairman

----

Michael Parkin OI (1943-1955) writes:

We were contemporaries but nearly forty years of teaching here have rather overlaid memories of details. I think he left school as I did in 1955 but I am hazy about when he appeared on the scene.

He trained in law as an articled clerk for a Solicitors' firm in Arcade Street in Ipswich and then in London. He ended up as a partner of a business in the Orpington area.

In 1965 we had a joint holiday in Switzerland, camping out with Malcolm Cockrill. The next year saw both their weddings which I attended. Since then, apart occasional calls to the family (5 children) when we were on holiday in the Tunbridge Wells area, contact was later intermittent.

John and Ruth visited us here in 2009 and I trekked down to Tunbridge Wells for his golden wedding anniversary celebration in 2016.

We kept in touch with landline phone calls, but I had heard nothing since January this year until reading of his death in the Daily Telegraph, September 2nd, aged 84.

----

Karl Daniels OI (1944-1953) writes:

I remember John very well and was sorry to learn that he has died. John became a solicitor and I think he practiced in Tunbridge Wells. John came to a few London dinners and I particularly remember his support during my year as President of the Club.

----