Obituary: Gary John Edward Chamberlain

Gary John Edward Chamberlain
Gary John Edward Chamberlain

It is with sadness we inform readers of the sudden death of Tur Langton’s former resident Gary John Edward Chamberlain aged 67.

Gary was born on 29th February 1956 in Warwickshire to parents John and Christine and had an older sister Susan.

The family moved when Gary was still a baby to live in Main Street Tur Langton when his father took up a post with Mr Johnson farmer.

He was a pupil at Church Langton Primary School, Kibworth High School, and finally Market Harborough Upper School.

Gary could often be seen whizzing around the village on his bicycle. He was a familiar figure delivering newspapers in the village.

Gary had no interest in academia. His only ambition was to be a firefighter and he spent his whole working life doing just that. Initially in Leicester and then in Loughborough. After retirement, not being someone to do nothing, he did work for a period at Bradgate Park.

As a young boy Gary was not a physically remarkable child, but that all changed when he took up karate. He achieved great success in the sport and became British Karate Kyokushinkai Knockdown Champion in 1981. He had previously been part of the British team to compete in the 1978 European Championships.

Gary also went on to become a respected referee in the sport. For many years ran his own club in Loughborough with his former pupils remembering him with great respect.

Gary leaves his wife of 25 years Lisa and his three sons George, Andrew and Samuel.

He is survived by his mother Christine who lives in Gloucester and his sister Susan who lives in Kibworth.

Susan Johnson