Godmanchester Cambridgeshire Community Association Online

Jim Lomax

This loving Eulogy was read by Jim’s nephew, Mick Lovell, at Jim’s funeral on 17 July.

Let me first apologise in advance, where do I start, what can I say about this incredible person, who I know as Uncle Jim, well here we go ....

Christmas Day 1933 was a hectic day for Edie and Jim Lomax Senior, for on that day, Edie, heavily pregnant, rushed from Bury St. Edmunds to their home in Brampton to give birth to Jim, named after his father Robert James Lomax and hence Jim's journey in life began.

Jim's schooling was at Brampton Green School where he was affectionately known as 'the weather vane boy'.  After finishing school, Jim followed in his father's footsteps as an apprentice Painter and Decorator to M.J. Allen in Brampton.

At the age of 18 he was conscripted into the National Service for 2 years where he served mainly in Germany.  After National Service he carried on in the trade that he had acquired.

Soon after, on a night out - whilst going to the cinema in Peterborough, on the number 151 bus - he met Thelma, from Sawtry. Their friendship grew and eventually Jim and Thelma were engaged.  Jim decided to ask Thelma's dad for permission to marry her, but as he was watching the TV, he had to wait for the adverts to come on first, so as not to interrupt his viewing.

Jim and Thelma were married on St. Georges Day, 23 April 1960 at All Saints Church, Sawtry. They started married life at Thrapston Road, Brampton, whilst saving for a home of their own.

Jim and Thelma eventually bought their own home at 2 Windsor Road, Godmanchester.  Jim was offered to paint the house himself, by the builders, inside and out, so saving them £65 which was used for their first cooker.  This was their home for the next 58 years of happy marriage.

My first memory of Uncle Jim was a Christmas time visit with presents - Jim wearing a white speckled coat, thinking it had been snowing and then chasing down the road to tell me off for cheeking my mum.

Jim always helped in so many ways - too many to name - but a few were where he helped with our family to move from St. Paul's Cray, Kent to Huntingdon to be near the family. He helped with my homework from school; in fact, the only time I got good results was with Jim's input.

Jim and Thelma were totally devoted to each other, where you saw Thelma you saw Jim, where you saw Jim you saw Thelma, appointments, functions, shopping, always together, Daniel O'Donnell concerts and there were many.

I was so proud of my Uncle Jim's achievements, but none more so when he was made Mayor, not once but twice.

In latter years we enjoyed many games of Mexican Dominoes and evenings of political debate and often discussed Jim's time in the army.  Jim had many pursuits outside politics, one was his love for gardening and his floral displays were a marvel, a hobby he enjoyed to the end, latterly supervising Thelma.

Last year we had a wonderful time with first my daughter marrying, then my son.  Jim and Thelma did the entire flower arrangements for my daughter's wedding, many hours were spent with ribbon, lace, oasis and glass jars.  They came to both weddings with matching colours and were stand-ins for the grandparents in the photos, as having no parents of my own, this is what they had become to our children.  They meant a lot.

When Jim was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, he was not fazed, but carried on as a normal as possible, never complaining, maintaining his independence right to the end. Thelma was caring and by his side making sure he was well dressed and groomed.

What my uncle meant to me and many others, he was reliable, respected as a true friend, a man who stood by his beliefs and was always willing to help others, a true gentleman.  He is and will always be in my thoughts - the likes of whom I probably will not meet again in my lifetime.  God bless you Uncle Jim and a big thank you, it was a privilege to know you.

 

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