Tributes paid to John Lawton, Freeman of the Borough

Mr Lawton, known as Jack, passed away peacefully at home last Thursday (6 November). He was 89-years-old.

Born in Australia in 1936, Jack Lawton demonstrated his determination and dedication at an early age when he was left paralysed after breaking his neck in a diving accident at a swimming pool.

Just ten-years-old, Jack defied the odds, learned to write again and later studied law at the University of Sydney before qualifying as a solicitor and barrister.

In 1959, Jack met Sue, a trainee psychiatric nurse. The couple married a year later and had children Ruth and David before moving to England - Sue's home - in 1965 to start a new life.

Jack secured a job at Kingston-upon-Thames Borough Council, but in 1972 the family moved to Rugby after he was appointed assistant town clerk at Rugby Borough Council.

He was promoted to town clerk before becoming chief executive of the borough council in 1979, a position he held until his retirement in 1996.

He was awarded the Freedom of the Borough following his retirement in recognition of his pride and passion for keeping local government strong and dedicated to serving the community.

After retiring, Jack volunteered full-time at the Spinal Injuries Association. With his wealth of local government and legal experience, Jack quickly became the driving force behind the association's fund-raising and was instrumental in relocating the association's headquarters from a small office in London to a purpose-built centre in Milton Keynes.

Jack went on to become vice chair and then chair of the association before stepping down from his charity work in 2013 to enjoy a quiet life with Sue at the couple's home in Rugby.

In a joint statement, Rugby Borough Council's group leaders Cllr Michael Moran (Labour), Cllr Derek Poole (Conservative) and Cllr Jerry Roodhouse (Liberal Democrat), said: "Jack Lawton dedicated nearly a quarter of a century to serving the residents of Rugby in his roles at the council and his significant contribution to both the council and the borough was rightly recognised when he was awarded the Freedom of the Borough on his retirement, the highest honour the council can bestow.

"We're truly saddened to learn of Jack's passing and our thoughts remain with his family and friends at this time."

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Jack's memory to the Spinal Injuries Association: www.spinal.co.uk/donate1/