John Edward Jarman was born on 21 June 1939, the 9th of 10 children of Wilamena and Walter.  The 6 boys and 4 girls grew up in Baylham, Suffolk, where Walter and 6 of John’s siblings all worked on the farm.   

John however, was born with Spina Bifida, so farm work was not for him.  This didn’t stop him driving tractors on another farm with his mates, on one occasion this led to him being rescued by a friend on a bike, when the police were around. 

He didn’t let his disability limit his life experiences; 

He attended Baylham Primary School, and then moved onto Claydon as he got older.  John worked for one firm his whole working life, initially it was William Browns, later taken over by Jewsons.  He was obviously a good salesman for them to keep him so long! 

He was very good working with timber himself, both Mum & I have fences around 20years old, still going strong, this was due in part to his meticulous planning, he always said 90% time on the drawing board, 10% on the job (or something like that). 

John enjoyed green bowls for many years, playing for the league, and ensuring fellow team captains would pick him for their team too, meaning he played 5 nights a week!  As a supporter he attended the Speedway and Ipswich Town games. 

He enjoyed many holidays on Jersey, with his sister Evie, always at the same hotel – the weather there helped give him a golden tan.  Sadly many of his siblings have passed over the years, leaving only Paul & David today.  

In 1993 John met Avril at a Country Music Weekend in Pakefield.  He asked her to dance.  They had both been married twice before, but this really was their third time lucky.  He loved her trillions, and she would put post-it-note messages in his lunchbox (not just in the box, but actually hidden inside the sandwich). 

When I first met him, Mum was giving him a lift to his car, I asked what type of car he had, he replied “a rover” to which my response was “and where did you pick this smart arse up from mum?”  something we never stopped laughing about. 

Together they travelled to Ireland, Wales and Scotland for Hogmannays, Malta, Italy, and to the States on a number of occasions.  In particular they enjoyed Branson, Missouri and New Orleans where ducks walked around the hotel. 

For 23years they were involved in the running of Little Willy’s Country Music Club, ensuring that they could enjoy the live country music that had brought them together.  They didn’t just settle for UK acts,  with artists from USA and Australia visiting, which is how they met Frank Ifield.  They attended many Country Music holidays, and festivals over the years. 

About 15 years ago John spent 6 weeks seriously ill in hospital, his mobility and strength never fully recovered from this and his health had deteriorated over the last few years. 

As a family, we had all spent time with John in the few days before and on Christmas Day, so know he smiled and made us groan with the cracker jokes at the end. 

I think it is fair to say, he lived a full 81 years, he will be missed, truly.