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BORN
1937
DIED
2016
John Detchon Obituary
Mr John Anthony Detchon (Jack) has passed away peacefully, at home, after an unexpected and brief illness on April 25th 2016 at the age of 78.Jack is survived by his wife Vicky, daughters Nancy and Laura, grandchildren George, Ellie and Tom.Jack was born on 30 December 1937 in Northumberland to Bob and Betty Detchon. He attended Netherthorpe Grammar School and Loughborough College followed by a spell in the RAF.Jack married Vicky in 1967 and they had a wonderful life together until, sadly, Vicky's Alzheimer's Disease progressed and she moved into a care home. Jack spent most of his working life devoted to football – living a school boy's dream. Locally, he played for Chesterfield FC and was Manager at Matlock and Worksop Town. Over the years Jack pursued a successful career with The Football Association as Regional Coach for the North East, coaching at all levels from grassroots through to national and international level in the UK and overseas. Before retiring, Jack was Head Soccer Coach at Kenyon College, Ohio in America where he and Vicky had several happy years before returning home to Derbyshire. His unique personality, charm, humour and football expertise ensured that he had a wide circle of friends and colleagues, near and far, and was highly respected and regarded.In his spare time Jack had been a keen golfer at Renishaw Park Golf Club and enjoyed time spent in the pub with friends. He loved family life, including fun-filled holidays abroad together with his daughters and grandchildren. Jack was a devoted and affectionate husband, father and grandfather who will be very sadly missed.The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday 11th May, 11:30 at Brimington Crematorium with a wake to follow at The Proact Stadium. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jack's life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The Alzheimer's Society c/o J E Nicholson, Funeral Director, 329 Langer Lane, Wingerworth, Chesterfield S42 6TY. Condolences can be sent to 20 Netherfield Rd, Somersall, Chesterfield S40 3LS.
Memories and Condolences
for John Detchon
9 Entries
Brendan Considine
November 19, 2020
I had the pleasure of knowing Jack in the United States. He was a gentleman and an excellent coach. Rest in peace Jack.
Ian Huddleston
October 4, 2019
In August/September, 1988, I attended the English FA International course at the beautiful Lilleshall. The Course Director was Mr. Jack Detchon. For nearly 3 weeks I was in Football heaven and "big Jack" was the life of the party. Intelligent, a wonderful communicator and one of the cheekiest Coaches I have ever met, was Jack. My condolences to his family and friends.
Michael Umphray
September 12, 2019
Jack Detchon was my PE teacher at St John's C of E Secondary Modern School in Mansfield. He was the greatest man I've ever met and was my inspiration. He left when I was 14 years of age and I cried the day he departed. I don't think Mr Detchon will rest in peace as he will always be busy organising things for their improvement. My hero!
Arnold Corneal
August 25, 2018
I am deeply saddened to have heard of the passing of Coach Detchon. He was an amazing person, coach and friend. I hope that his legacy continues to inspire future young players.
July 30, 2016
Goodbye granddad.
July 2, 2016
Jack was a model football coach for me as I coached against him while he was at Kenyon. I admired him greatly. Coach Steven Smith, Hope College
May 18, 2016
With fond rememberings of teenage years .And happy times at Bob and Bettys when they first lived in woodthorpe and I lived at the farm down bridle Rd..His sister and I were very close .My heart felt sympathy .Iris Francis.
May 11, 2016
Gentleman Jack .
Thomas Youlden
February 11, 2017
I was a pupil at Holloway School in the early sixties when Jack came to teach as a PE teacher. He had just qualified as a teacher at Loughborough College and Holloway was his first teaching post. He made me captain of the 15s and we had our most successful season ever under his coaching. I also played for the England U15's school team that season and Jack was inspirational in my development as a footballer. I then went on to play professional football for 17 years, and after I retired I became a teacher and started coaching for the FA. Jack, after about three years at Holloway School moved back north and got married and had a family. He was an outstanding coach. He went on to coach on many FA courses and was respected throughout the game. He worked with Howard Wilkinson , and was frequently seen tutoring on FA 'A' licence course.
The last time I saw Jack was about 15 years ago when we both tutored together on an FA coaching course. He mentioned in conversation over dinner one night how unique that was that an ex-teacher and ex-pupil at Holloway School should meet up again, many years later, tutoring on the same FA coaching course.
Jack was such an inspirational and brilliant coach. But he was so much more than that, he was articulate, brilliant in company, funny, considerate and an outstanding individual. Jack would light-up any company. I have met many people in my life and Jack was a person who stood out, even after all these years his influence on me as a person, as well as a coach, still stands out above anything else.
I always remember the conversation we had when we last met. He was tell me the story about when he was trying to warn his daughter about being late home one night from a party. He was great at telling stories. At the same time as tell his daughter off for being late home, a fox run across the lawn at the bottom of the garden. Jack said he tried to keep a straight face, and look stern, but started laughing. The fox he said ruined the whole effect of the telling off.
Jack was both a lovely person as well as being a brilliantly talented individual. I will always be indebted to him for the very positive effect he had on my early life.
My condolences go to all his family in this very sad time.
Jack Detchon R.I.P
Thomas Frederich Youlden
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