Johnny Jones a gentleman who ‘led’ with distinction

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

ONE of the longest serving and most valued members of the Kahutia Bowling Club, John Raymond George (Johnny) Jones, passed away recently.

Johnny was a real gentleman who loved his bowls but who always put his family first. He had a friendly disposition, a keen sense of humour and was helpful to new bowlers.

Johnny joined Kahutia in the 1973/74 season after his 50th birthday and soon proved to be a talented bowler and keen competitor. He was quickly sought-after by skips for club championship events and was an outstanding lead.

He won junior club titles in the pairs and the fours soon after joining the club. He won the junior pairs with Ian Harrison in 1975 and went on to win the centre champion of champions junior pairs with Harrison later that season. He also repeated the club junior pairs win with Noel Petherick in 1977.

Further success came in the club junior fours in 1979, when he led for his skip, Lyall Burrows, and in 1980, with Barry Pearce’s team.

By 1984 he had graduated to the senior ranks and carried on with his expert leading for his teams. With skip Keith Russell, he won the senior club fours in 1984 and 1986 and was rated as the best lead in the centre during those years.

He also played bowls outside the district and was twice winner of the Webber Trophy, the Hawke’s Bay equivalent of the Burton Cup. His first win was with Brian Hankey’s team and his second, with his grandson Dwayne Cameron, with Bill Scott and Jock Livingston. Dwayne went on to represent New Zealand and also won the national singles title among many other achievements to date.

Johnny then took a spell from competitive bowls and devoted his time to look after his wife Greta, who was in ill health for several years.

However, the competitive urge was so strong he returned to play in the club’s senior fours championship, mainly in teams skipped by club stalwarts Des McKenzie and Bill Scott.

He won again in 2001 with Scott, Jim Clough and Pat Griffin but it was not until 2014 that Johnny had his most famous success.

In his 91st year, along with McKenzie, Kevin Bright and Jock Smith, he won the senior fours again.

In the final against Murray Murton’s strong team, Johnny displayed great stamina as well as his extraordinary talent.

All the club members at Kahutia will miss Johnny’s smiling face and his many jokes and stories, but his memory will live on in the years to come with grandson Dwayne recently earning his gold star in the Waikato centre and also with great grandson Mitchell, who is a very promising bowler.