I remember John Sale from when he became a governor of Yarm School shortly after his two boys, David and Tom, joined Yarm School from Red House School in Norton.

John Sale was born on the 6th of February, 1937 - a pre-war baby. He had a difficult start to school life, attending three or four different ones. He had to walk to school from Billingham, across the beck and up to Red House, this was before the A19! Relocation took John to Cross at Repton, an experience that instilled in him both academic rigour and a lifelong love of sport.

After school, like many young men of his generation, John served in the armed forces, completing national service at Eaton Hall with the Cheshire Regiment. He rose to the rank of Second Lieutenant and was posted to Malaya for 12 months - in the jungle! 

After national service, John went to Cambridge University where he was heavily involved in sport and took a leading role as president of the junior common room. He took his skills abroad, working in various locations including Munich and Brazil, before returning to the UK to continue his career in Cheshire and later joining Visqueen. 

John was a man of few words but deep conviction. He believed in hard work, in doing things properly, and in leaving the world better than he found it. He was selfless and spent many hours in all weathers coaching hockey at Yarm on an evening.

When I think of John, I think of someone who never sought the spotlight, but whose work illuminated the lives of many. As a Governor John brought sunshine into my life as the founding Headmaster of Yarm School, John listened and took time to understand. 

Mr N Tate

I first met John Sale when he, as a member of the Board of Governors, interviewed me for the post of Head in 1998 with his fellow Governors. When I took up the post, John’s sons had already left Yarm, but I soon became aware how very fond of and committed to the school John and his family were. 

John was an utterly reliable Governor, who attended countless meetings and supported school events long after his retirement from the Board at age 70. His particular passion was hockey and John played a keen and supportive role when the school was planning its artificial sports pitches, helping with valuable advice and experience. Indeed he devoted a great deal of his time to helping with hockey coaching, including well after he retired from the Board.

As a close friend of the previous Chairman of Governors, John would accompany (and latterly drive) Donald Blakeley to school events, attending Prize Givings regularly. In short, John was a huge supporter of Yarm School who cared deeply for all the school does. Beyond that, he was a friendly, enthusiastic and caring individual who will be greatly missed.

Mr D Dunn