A FAMILY has paid tribute to a Suffolk journalist who passed away over the Christmas period.

Russell Claydon

A FAMILY has paid tribute to a Suffolk journalist who passed away over the Christmas period.

Alan Crumpton, 74, will be remembered as a larger than life character who championed his love of jazz music and cherished his role as a voice of the community.

His body was discovered in his kitchen on Christmas Day by his daughter and granddaughter who became concerned after he failed get in contact about coming over for lunch.

Leanne Lockton, 49, who along with her brother Paul, 47, were his only children, said: “He was someone who was very passionate about his music.

“When mum died the jazz really took off for him as it gave him something to do and he tried to help youngsters and get them on the radio.

“He could be very kind and loving. He was just a character.”

The grandfather of four and great-grandfather to six was born in Morley, Yorkshire, and had lived in Glenside, Great Cornard, near Sudbury, for the past 40 years.

He had a high-flying career in journalism starting on the Yorkshire Evening News before progressing to writing for the Daily Mirror.

He became the Felixstowe reporter for the East Anglian Daily Times and later went on to write a column about jazz music. His career also took in time working for the Suffolk Free Press and the Diss Express.

Upon his retirement in 2000 Mr Crumpton became an active committee member of the Bures Music Festival, helping expand its popularity.

Mrs Lockton, of Oxford Close, Great Cornard, said of him as a father: “He was lovely - you could not have asked for more.

“You could go anywhere in the country and end up meeting someone he knew.”

It is believed he died of a heart attack after suffering deteriorating health in recent years as a result of his diabetes and asthma.

A one minute silence was held at Bury Town FC's ground, Ram Meadow, in his memory before their Boxing Day fixture with AFC Sudbury, of whom Mr Crumpton was an avid supporter.

His funeral will take place at West Suffolk Crematorium in Bury St Edmunds at 12.45pm on Monday, January 11. The family are requesting people do not wear black and turn out to “celebrate his life and love of music”. Any donations to Diabetes UK can be made courtesy of the East of England Co-Operative Funeral Service in Cornard Road, Sudbury on 01787 372736.