FORMER Okehampton town councillor John Kennard has died aged 78.

John was born on March 20, 1938 in Herne Hill, London. In 1948, he moved to Okehampton with his parents Iris and Reg and attended Okehampton Grammar School.

On September 12 1959, John married Marion in Okehampton Parish Church. Together they had two children Chris and Sarah.

John completed national service in the Royal Navy and for many years played for the town’s football and cricket teams. He was also a member of Okehampton Golf Club for many years, serving on the committee and was also club captain.

John was governor of the primary school and as a previous member of Okehampton Town Council, John is credited helping bring the Waitrose store to the town.John followed in his mother Iris' footsteps (who was Mayoress) in serving the town. The Kennard family also owned the Plume of Feathers on Fore Street.

John's career in banking starting with National Provincial which became National Westminster.

He started his career at North Tawton before working in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Taunton and Canterbury. He worked in many more branches when managing the bank’s productivity team. John Retired in 1991 before moving to Norwich in 2000.

John was described as a loving father to Chris and Sarah, father-in-law to Nicola and Steve, grandfather to Lindsay, Stuart and Melissa and great grandfather to Erin.