Clarence Pawson

CLARENCE Henry Pawson, who dedicated much of his life to voluntary work for the community in Ripon, has died aged 87.

Known by his preferred name of Clarry – a combination of his Christian names – he was driven by the desire to improve his life and the lives of others through education and hard work.

One of his favourite mantras was "You only get out of something as much as you are prepared to put in", and that was how he lived his life.

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One example of that was during the 1970s when he became a member of Clotherholme Parish Council because a local lane was an unmade road, and he thought it should be fixed.

That led to him becoming a Ripon Town councillor and in 1987 being appointed mayor-elect, something of which he was very proud. But he never became mayor because he lost his seat in a subsequent election. Although bitterly disappointed he got over it and continued to work tirelessly for voluntary organisations in the city.

He was born in Killinghall, near Harrogate, where he attended the Church of England school and was a choirboy at St Thomas's Church, which began his lifelong love of singing.

In 1938, he went to work in Harrogate as a junior surveyor in the building trade. Around the same time his sister, Anne, took her great friend Audrey Thompson home for tea. Afterwards Anne's chivalrous brother walked her home, and in 1943 the couple married.

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During the Second World War, Mr Pawson served with the Royal Army Service Corps and was Mentioned in Despatches for his service in Italy.

After the war, Mr Pawson and the family moved to Ripon when he worked for Ebor Concretes until he retired in 1986 as sales director.

They attended Ripon Cathedral where the then Dean, F L Hughes, encouraged them to take a greater part in the life of the Church, something which continued for over 50 years.

He became a member of the Parochial Church Council, was a member of the Select Vestry of Churchwardens and a Capitular Canon of the Cathedral.

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In his younger days he was a keen cricketer playing for both Killinghall and Ripon cricket clubs and, after giving up playing, continued to support them with fundraising.

He was also involved with Ripon Scouts who rewarded his many years of fundraising and committee work by presenting him with their Thanks Badge.

He was also a member of the Parent Teacher Associations of Ripon City School and Ripon Grammar School, was a Freemason, and did voluntary work and fundraising for many other local charities and organisations.

Mr Pawson is survived by his daughter and two sons. His wife

predeceased him in 1998.

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