4 replies to this topic

[Richard Jenkins]

With great regret, it is to tell you that John Campbell-Jones died on Tuesday at his home in Camden.

 

He had been increasingly frail but was able to celebrate his 90th birthday with a party in January.

 

Absolutely lovely man and I will treasure my time spent with him. Thoughts are with his daughters Vicky and Emma and his other family and friends.

[Tim Murray]

Very sorry to read this. Sincere condolences to his family and friends.

[ensign14]

Sad to hear.  One of those without whom the sport would have been much the poorer.  Not everyone can be a superstar.  But everyone can be nice.  JC-J succeeded in the latter.

[bradbury west]

I am very sorry to hear of John's death. My ongoing research involves people who were some of the earliest Lotus mechanics, as was John, so I spoke to him several times. A natural and willing raconteur, he was a pleasure to hear, even though in a 2 hour call to me barely 5minutes would be core information, the rest being yarns and reminiscences, with a tale to tell about practically every topic and person from that period. Thanks to the good offices, and company, of TNFer and F1 expert and historian David Holland, I enjoyed John's company most years at the Revival.
John was always modest and self effacing about his racing, his Lotus days, his friendship with NGH about whom he was remarkably honest, and especially Mike Hawthorn, et alia, as well as Dan Margulies, David Piper and Brian Allart, John's mechanic and another early Lotus man. John moved in all of those special worlds and areas to which his position gave him access.
I recall at a FoS some years back I was one of 4 TNFers who were chatting to John in the old Cathedral paddock when Sir Stirling Moss came over, apologised for disturbing us, and asked if he could borrow John, as the, undoubtedly wealthy and discerning , American entrant and collector in SCM's little group would like to meet John.
John was always very modest about the significance of his role in Keith Duckworth's life, qv the Duckworth First Principles biography, just as he was in the early days of the careers of my own two researchees.
Whilst not a superstar, he had his own star qualities, and was a thoroughly affable and charming man, invariably defying whilst in a way endorsing his Team Shambles soubriquet, a man about whom I have not heard a malicious word. Seeing the twinkle in his eye I always thought still waters run deep.
Ensign's comments above say succinctly what I have opted to expand on here.
I feel fortunate to have met and known John in my own small way, and I feel it pertinent to mark his passing.
Roger Lund

Edited by bradbury west, 28 March 2020 - 00:20.

[Doug Nye]

Have only just read this sad news.  Sincere condolences to his family and many friends.  Roger has said it all, above...

 

DCN