Dartford Borough Council is saddened to hear of the passing of former Council Leader, Mayor and Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Ivor Jones.
Dartford Borough Council is saddened to hear of the passing of former Leader of the Council, Mayor and Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, Ivor Jones, who has died at the age of 94.
The former parish, borough and county councillor was first elected to Stone Parish Council in 1955 and served an incredible 56 years before retiring in 2011. He would also represent Stone at Dartford District Council, which he served as Leader for eight years, from 1974 to 1982 and again from 1995 to 1998.
Mr Jones served as Mayor of Dartford in 1998-1999 and again in 1999-2000, supported by his wife, Dulcie. Dartford Borough Council recognised his long service and ‘eminent services to the Council’ in 2012 by making him an Honorary Alderman of the Borough. He was also appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant for Kent by Her Majesty The Queen.
The former Stone Church of England School teacher retired from Dartford Borough Council in 2007.
Leader of the Council Jeremy Kite MBE said: “I was very sad to learn of the death of Ivor Jones. He was a man who rose up from a community he served as a teacher and active local advocate to become Dartford’s Mayor, Council Leader and eventually a Honorary Alderman and Deputy Lieutenant.
"He was a towering local figure but always friendly, passionate and approachable. People may be surprised to learn of the kindnesses and support that current and former Council Leaders provide to each other, even if there may be political differences between them, and Ivor was always friendly and ready to pass on his own style of quiet, sensible advice.
“He was dedicated to Dulcie and his family, but also to the people of Stone. Anyone who knew him would recognise the twinkle in his eye and his winning smile whenever you met him. Our town has many reasons to thank Ivor for his service and my thoughts and prayers go to his family. He will be long and fondly remembered by this town and its people."
Our thoughts are with Mr Jones' family at this time.