Remembering the

man behind LOGA

------

TRIBUTES have been paid to the founder and honorary life President of the Lydney Old Grammarians Association.

Mr Leeyson Morgan James died on February 21 at Victoria Hospital Kirkcaldy in Fife, aged 83, after a short illness following a stroke six years ago.

In 2010, deteriorating health forced Leeyson to move to Scotland, closer to his family, where he resided at West Park Nursing Home. However his passion for the Forest never diminished.

His son Allan said: “Dad never lost his Forest roots. His parents, Bernice May Watkins and Stanley, managed the Co-operative grocery store in Lydney, and he attended Lydney Grammar School. He was extremely bright and excelled in sport.

“Some 20 years ago, he founded and became honorary life President of the Lydney Old Grammarians Association (LOGA), an organisation for former pupils to reunite and periodically share their memories and life experiences.

“More than 100 Old Grammarians attended Lydney Town Hall in response to his appeal in the local press to establish LOGA. Almost 700 ex-pupils have joined over the years, and LOGA is still over 500 strong in membership.

“Dad led a varied, gregarious and fulfilled life. He was the eldest of three children. He trained at a medical centre next to Sandhurst and soon after met my mother Ruth, an RAF technician, and together they raised four children. Tragically, mum passed away in 1972 aged 45.

“He served 22 years as a physiotherapist and lecturer in the Royal Army Medical Corps, where he met his second wife Christine, and rose to the rank of Company Sergeant Major as Warrant Officer Two with Exemplary Military Conduct.

“Christine was one of his students, and they had two children before moving to Hampshire. At that time, he joined Sigvaris, a Swiss company, as a medical advisor specialising in the design and manufacture of orthotic medical supplies.

“He enjoyed politics and became chairman of the local Conservative Party in Chandler’s Ford for several years. Sadly, Christine died when the children were teenagers.

“In his fifties, dad’s health deteriorated, and about five years ago, he had a heart bypass and a replacement valve operation. However, in 2010, with an increasingly sedentary lifestyle, dad suffered a serious stroke which confined him to a wheelchair until his death.

“After careful consideration by the family and dad himself, it was decided he should transfer to West Park Nursing Home, where he made many friends with staff.

“His legacy will be remembered at home and abroad. He will be greatly missed.”

Lee leaves six children, 11 grandchildren, two step grandchildren and two great step grandchildren.