In loving and thankful appreciation of John's long and distinuished life and his friendship with us and our family over many years.

John was family. I always referred to him as my honorary grandad and I certainly loved him that way. I met John when I was 5 which I suppose makes him one of my earliest proper memories. He has been a family sized part of my life ever since and as my family has grown he’s become part of their lives too. He and my husband Paul would talk for hours, long after I’d gone to sleep. Paul and I got engaged at John’s house in France. The photo is when he met my babies, Mia (now 4) and Adam (now 2). Adam’s middle name is John. John has always been and always will be family and I loved him very much.

John, I’ll always remember to ask myself if ‘I’ve done anything brilliant lately’ and I’ll tell you about it when I do.

Love always.

Sarah

John was family. I always referred to him as my honorary grandad and I certainly loved him that way. I met John when I was 5 which I suppose makes him one of my earliest proper memories. He has been a family sized part of my life ever since and as my family has grown he’s become part of their lives too. He and my husband Paul would talk for hours, long after I’d gone to sleep. Paul and I got engaged at John’s house in France. The photo is when he met my babies, Mia (now 4) and Adam (now 2). Adam’s middle name is John. John has always been and always will be family and I loved him very much.

John, I’ll always remember to ask myself if ‘I’ve done anything brilliant lately’ and I’ll tell you about it when I do.

Love always.

Sarah

People will remember John Loarridge as the enlightened and exceptional Headmaster that he undoubtedly was in the 1970's and 1980's. Many will also remember him for his wisdom, humanity, kindness and generosity. I will remember him as a great encouragement and support to me when I was Head of Music at Challoner's and it was a privilege to be asked by him to act as his Power of Attorney during his last years. We became good friends.
When I last saw him he said that he was 'content'. I am glad that he is at peace now.

A privilege to have known this kind gentleman since the age of 12. First met him before I had even started at DCGS, found him inspirational, and for two years I was lucky to also have him as my history teacher, and we remained friends for decades since I left and a few of us met for lunch just 3 years ago. I sang as part of the choir at June's funeral service all those years ago in the late 1980s, and am glad they are finally reunited. RIP John.

John was not only a very distinguished headmaster and teacher, but also a man of great warmth and compassion. He became a much valued and dear friend after his retirement and during the years devoted to the Amersham Concert Club. I will remember him with great affection.

A lovely comment below from Ian Hooker, Mr Loarridge's long-serving head of music at Challoner's. I was lucky enough to be taught by both men, and their wisdom and great teaching has left a lasting impression on my life. God bless, Mr Loarridge.

I thank God for a wonderful teacher at Handsworth Grammar School, whose care enriched so many young lives.
John Reese

John, was known as ‘Jake’ by we pupils at Challoner's: just the sound of his nickname, which I don’t know where it came from, embodied the combination of respect and admiration we all had for him. Even those of my contemporaries on the receiving end of his discipline never said one bad word about him as they knew deep down that not only was he right, but more importantly he was absolutely fair and any of us sent to him absolutely deserved what, always proportionate to the misdemeanour, came to us – all aimed at making the best of us, rather than as some could have been, just there and then thrown on life’s scrap heap as a result of their mistakes. Many of us have a lot to thank him for – esp. those of us who didn’t really quite slot into the one-size-fits-all mould. He managed to maintain the corporate integrity of Challoner’s yet bend over backwards to give individuals who needed it room to take our own course of development. He was the ultimate headmaster.

I have only just come across these posts commenting on the passing of Mr. Loarridge who I was most fortunate to have as my headmaster. The fact that some 40+ years later I am both saddened and also appreciative of having been under his guidance, is a testimony in itself to this wise, gentle man, who clearly loved his school and within which his dedication never wavered ... even upon dealing with the death of his wife. His chuckle, appreciation for humour as well as articulate thinking in his student, accompanied his pipesmoke perfectly.