A COMMUNITY stalwart who was known for his artistic talent and passion for golf has died.

John Durham, painter and former owner and president of the Warren Golf Club, at Woodham Walter, lost his battle with prostate cancer and died at his home at the Warren on March 30, just a few weeks after his 88th birthday.

He leaves wife Anna, three children, eight grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Born in 1933 and raised in Woodham Walter, John went off to London in his teens to train at St Martin’s Art School in London and worked as a commercial artist for several years.

He sold his paintings to many collectors and celebrities from around the world, mainly from the open-air exhibitions in Green Park.

During this time, he worked in the theatre industry with the likes of Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan.

He was also one of the crew at Kirby’s Flying Ballet and ‘flew’ many stage actors and ballerinas in his time there.

He returned to Woodham Walter in the 1950s to run the family apple farm and, in 1971, he and his wife Anna, took over the Warren Golf Club.

In the 1980s John designed and constructed both Bunsay Downs and Badgers golf courses in Woodham Walter, the latter being recognised as nationally significant and receiving an award presented by Sir David Attenborough in 1989.

Mr Durham was also a supporter of professional golf, being president of the Essex Professional Golfers Union for several years.

He championed women’s golf and employed Mickey Walker to be the first female head golf professional at any club in the UK.

After retiring in 2012, John started to paint again, having successful exhibitions in Maldon, Colchester and London.

A self-portrait of John Durham

A self-portrait of John Durham

Son Mark Durham said: “He had prostate cancer 20 odd years ago, but it came back. It got into his bones and he was bedbound from January.

“To see him like that was not easy.

“He’s got lots of legacies not to mention hundreds of paintings left in his study.

“One of the things we laughed about was that he always used to embarrass me and my siblings on holiday.

“Whenever there was a paper table cover, he would take his pens out and draw caricatures of the waiters on them.

“There would end up being a big crowd and when we left, the waiters would fight for whoever got the picture.

“We would like to express our thanks to the many people who have sent letters and cards of condolence since his passing.

“He will be greatly missed by his family and all those who knew him.”

A private funeral will be held on May 13.

Donations to Prostate Cancer Research can be given to funeral directors T Pennack and Sons in Great Baddow.