EADT and Evening Star Suffolk photographer John Kerr dies

He died last weekend at the age of 82 after suffering ill-health over recent years.

John joined the papers in 1964 as the east Suffolk photographer - working mainly in the Felixstowe and Woodbridge area but later joined the pool working out of the Ipswich studio.

He met his wife Chris when they were both working from the Felixstowe Times office and they continued to live in the town throughout their life together.

At his retirement in 2006, editors Terry Hunt and Nigel Pickover marked his departure with a special presentation.

EADT Editor Terry Hunt, John Kerr, Star editor Nigel Pickover and Chis Kerr at John's retirement in 2006. (Image: Richard Snasdell)

Chris said: "John was always joking with us and then after a short time there was a spark and we really hit it off together.

"He loved his job, most of the time, and he could really do any kind of pictures."

Felixstowe Carnival - a regular event on John's photographic diary. (Image: John Kerr)

John loved the country life and also did unpaid gamekeeping work.

Chris said: "At one point he had the opportunity to move to The Times in London but really didn't want to give up the life we had here."

John Kerr enjoyed taking pictures at Foxhall - this is the Witches taking on Oxford in 2003. (Image: John Kerr)

A keen motorcyclist, he loved taking pictures of the Ipswich Witches at Foxhall - but he wasn't quite so keen on football.

Chris said: "He didn't really like being in the photographers' dugouts at Portman Road, but that didn't stop him from getting some really good shots."

John Kerr might not have liked the conditions for photographers - but he could take good football pictures like this action shot in 2004 during a match against Wolves. (Image: John Kerr)

John was sent to London in 1981 to get some pictures of the Royal Wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Chris remembers John getting to The Mall on his motorcycle at 5am to get a good position.

She said: "I really had no reason to go but he put me on the list and we just got off down there. He got lots of pictures of all the troops going past and then the bride and groom on their way back to the palace.

John Kerr took pictures at the Royal Wedding in 1981. (Image: John Kerr)

"But just as he was starting to pack up so we could beat the traffic and get back to develop the pictures the couple kissed. He missed it!

"The office just wanted to know if he'd got the kiss and he had to tell them what had happened - luckily there were plenty of agency pictures of it and his other pictures were very good so nothing was missed."

Former EADT and Star editor Terry Hunt worked in Felixstowe early in his career and has fond memories of John. He said: "He was a great guy and an excellent photographer.”

John Kerr took this picture of Princess Margaret visiting Peggy Cole's garden at Charsfield in 1984. (Image: John Kerr)

But he also remembers the one that got away early in his Felixstowe career! 

Terry said: “My most vivid memory of John was the day the stricken European Gateway was finally towed away from Felixstowe after lying on its side just offshore for months.

“It was our most important job to make sure we covered it being righted and towed to Holland. But we missed it. By the time we knew it had gone it was just a fast-disappearing dot on the horizon.

“Panic-stricken, John and I thought quickly and raced down to Felixstowe Port where we hired a tug to try to catch the Gateway.

"But even at maximum throttle we had no chance - the dot on the horizon was getting smaller and smaller.

“We returned to the port with our tails between our legs and fearing our punishment from our bosses. But we both survived to tell the tale!”

When they returned to port they found a colleague had contacted a pilot at Ipswich Airport who had taken him up to find the ferry being towed across the North Sea.

Early in his career John Kerr took this aerial picture of Kirton near his Felixstowe home. (Image: John Kerr)

Former picture editor David Kindred said: "It was sad to hear that John, my former colleague, had died.

"We worked together for over four decades. He joined the photographic team in 1964, a year after me.

"John was based at the Felixstowe office for much of his career and will be fondly remembered by many in the town.

"I worked with John on many major news stories in Suffolk and will always remember our time together. My thoughts are with his wife Chris at this sad time."

Former Evening Star editor Nigel Pickover said: ”John was a key member of the team in a golden era for Star photographers.

"He took many great pictures and took no prisoners in quickly organising people at busy photoshoots.

"What a lovely colleague he was - the first thing many saw of him was his warm and ready smile.

John Kerr captured the moment when Nigel Pickover celebrated before taking to the pitch in one of the last games ever at the old Wembley Stadium in 2000. (Image: John Kerr)

"He was with me when I was invited to play at Old Wembley in a friendly match - and captured unforgettable images of the goal I scored there. A hero and legend to so many.”