WHILE his working career saw him travel the world, Ron Walker's heart clearly lay in Ongar, the town that had been his home for almost 30 years. He was an Ongar man through and through.o

He was well known throughout Ongar and the surrounding villages for the Ongar Times and then the Ongar Observer, publications that gave him so much pleasure, but meant so much work in what was supposed to be his retirement.

Mr Walker died at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, on Tuesday, January 21. He was 69.

Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles described Mr Walker as an "excellent ambassador" for the cause he was supporting, and a man who worked tirelessly for the community.

On leaving the RAF, having completed National Service in 1955, Mr Walker joined BOAC, which became part of British Airways in a merger in 1973. A career in sales and marketing spanned 34 years and ended when he took early retirement.

It was later that journalism took a grip on his life.

In November 1994, just a month after the idea was first discussed, the Ongar Times hit the streets.

The Ongar Times continued as a fortnightly title until May 1996. Two months later the Ongar Observer was born, again providing local news and views and sparking debate throughout the town and surrounding villages.

Before the Ongar Times was launched, Mr Walker could have expected a quiet life after retirement. But any such thoughts were shattered as the work involved in producing a fortnightly title grew.

He was not only responsible for the writing, but also the typing, advertising, proof-reading and distribution.

His first edition of the Ongar Observer comprised 12 pages. By the time the original Ongar Observer ended in October 2000, it was a 28-page publication.

His efforts were rewarded with nominations in the community supporter and people's choice categories of the Epping Forest Business Excellence Awards.

In July 2001, the Guardian brought back the Ongar Observer as a four-page supplement in the Ongar edition, with Mr Walker continuing to provide the material, until ill health forced him reluctantly to call it a day.

Such was his dedication and enthusiasm to the task, that even when he was receiving hospital treatment it was not unknown for Mr Walker to be on the telephone discussing deadlines and stories.

Once he even arranged for his copy, written in his hospital bed, to be collected from his bedside.

Guardian Newspapers' publisher Richard Byham said: "Ron was the best possible example of a local newspaper journalist. He knew his area and subject matter as well as anybody and loved expressing both his views and those of his readers in what was a well-read publication.

"When we took over publishing the Ongar Observer the title, thanks to Ron's hard work and dedication, had already grown into a well known part of Ongar life."

Mr Walker was a keen follower of West Ham United, and also of Essex County Cricket Club.

He had been a club member for about 50 years. He was chairman of the supporters club, the Essex Boundary Club, for three years, was a member of the club's marketing committee for five years and of the executive committee for three years.

Even during his long illness, he closely followed the county, and once flew to Newcastle and then travelled by car to Chester-le-Street to see Essex play Durham.

Essex County Cricket Club chief executive David East said: "He was a great supporter of the club and with his experience from British Airways his views were always valued on the management committee."

Club vice-chairman John Barker, who lives in Ongar, told the Guardian: "He made a significant contribution to the club during a long association. He was a lovely bloke and was extremely good company. If you were ever with him at a close one-day match he would get so emotionally involved it was not true."

Highway Travel owner Alan Thornton knew Mr Walker for many years through their joint interests in travel, and it was between the two of them that Ongar Travel Club was formed six years ago.

Mr Thornton said: "He was genuinely interested in what went on in the town and was concerned that things went well.

"He was a person who was at his best when mixing with other people. He took great enjoyment in the company of others and as a consequence had a great many friends.

"The greatest loss is that he was someone who was able to express the concerns of townspeople and give them a voice."

Mr Walker had been chairman of the Save Ongar Hospital Campaign group and was a member of the Ongar Business Lunch Club.

Mr Pickles said: "Ron was someone who campaigned tirelessly for what he believed was needed in his home town of Ongar and was a great motivator, encouraging other people to get involved and make things happen.

"The Ongar Enterprise Centre and the Ongar Observer are just two projects which are evidence of his drive to help improve the town and provide services to local residents.

"Over the years Ron has lobbied me on many issues, his firm and friendly style making him an excellent ambassador for the cause he was supporting the most recent only a few months ago being the heavy lorries using Ongar High Street."

Mr Pickles added: "The contact I had with him led me to count him as a friend, a true example of what is right about Brentwood and Ongar which has so many people who, like Ron, work tirelessly for their community expecting no reward but the success of a job well done.

"My thoughts are with his many family and friends at this time but I know that they, like me, will be proud to have known Ron and as we look round Ongar will see the results of his service to the community he loved so much."

Mr Walker's funeral was held at Parndon Wood Crematorium, Harlow, on Tuesday. He leaves a wife, Barbara, sons Jonathan and Andrew, daughter Carolyn, and four grandchildren.

Donations in his memory, with cheques payable to International Myeloma Foundation (UK), can be sent c/o Bonner's funeral directors, High Street, Ongar.

January 30, 2003 11:00