IN MEMORIAM
PAUL LUXON
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With deepest regrets - Paul Luxon passed away Thursday 15th July 2004
For a long time Paul had been battling with a brain tumour, and finally
quietly succumbed to a stroke early in the morning of Thursday 15th July 2004.
Paul is
most remembered as a World Champion, but he also had a string of achievements to
his credit.
British
Gymnastics Master Gymnast and Honorary Vice President of the British Trampoline
Federation; British U18 champion 68 & 70 and Men’s Champion 1970 and 71.
In 1972 Paul Luxon was Individual World Champion (the first ever non USA
champion) and also World Synchronised Champion with his partner and long time
friend Bob Hughes (GB men's champ 72).
European Men’s Champion 1968 and 71 - which makes
him the first ever European champion in Paris along with his first
wife Ute (nee Czech) who won the ladies.
After an absence from Great Britain, coaching in Germany, he returned and
founded Kingston Kites Trampoline Club in Milton Keynes which has many
successful trampolinists at all levels and is a widely respected club in the UK.
Paul
wrote to me in 1997 shortly after opening my trampoline centre, in the letter he
said "after 22 years of living in Germany, I must say its great to be back in
England. My Trampoline passion will never die, my aim is to coach a World
Champion, a British one of course".
Paul will be deeply missed by all of us.
Donations can be made to Cancer
Research U.K., they can be made direct to them or via Funeral Directors who will
give Alyson a list of donators & therefore whom to thank after - S.R. Dillamore
Ltd. 16 Old Rd. Linslade, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2RF.
Left to right
Dave Curtis
Dave Pitaway
John Beer
Paul Luxon
Paul with the 1967 Youth match team. How many can you name?
I have been asked to give the timings for Paul's funeral. Alyson (Paul's
Wife) really hopes that everyone who possibly can attend will do so, therefore
please spread this info. far and wide. Monday 26th. July Service at the local
church in Furzton, Milton Keynes at 2.45pm. Followed by the Cremation at M.K.
Crematorium on the H4 Dansteed Way towards Westcroft near Crown Hill. And
adjourning to Paul and Alyson's home at, 12 Wakefield Close, Neath Hill, M.K.
These directions are peculiar to M.K. and if you have problems call me, Russ
Jackman on 01908-313048/ 07752427604 Furzton lies between the junction of the
V3/H7 and turn in at signs for the 'Furzton Local Centre'. Crem. H4 /V3 Home.
V8/H4, off the V8.
I have also been asked to provide a point where people who
are unable to attend the funeral can leave a message:
To leave a message please email to
Martin Laws and it will
be placed on the site for his family to view.
This is sad news indeed I used to train with him, Paul Wainwright, Paul
Burgoine, Bobby Stoude and Denis Horne at Ramsden Grammar School and of course
London Street Poly I have some very good memories and would wish to attend his
funeral.
Brian Stocks BG President
I remember as
young teenager watching Paul doing a display. I can honestly say this is one of
the main things that switched me onto our sport. He was doing triple somersaults
on a 77a 1/2inch bed!
For years I idolised him and his
achievements via film and the written word, then in 1990 met him for the first
time. Paul soon became someone I liked to call a friend, his unassuming
manner and love for our sport will make him always remembered.
Martin Laws
National Technical Committee Chair
From the time I started
trampolining my coach Martin Laws always spoke about Paul Luxon and told me to
follow his innovative ways. I studied his video as I grew up.
On my first senior international
for GB I remember Paul was the coach and after warming up I told him “I feel
like a little boy jumping with this lot”. Paul talked me through the event and
I had good results. Last year at our World Championships, Paul came to me and
whispered in my ear “you don’t look like a little boy any more! You can compete
with the best of them!” The fuse was lit and I hope Paul was pleased with the
results.
Gary Smith GB Olympian 2004
That is such sad news. You are right a
'decent' man who will be greatly missed.
Pam Smith
"So sorry to hear the sad news. I never saw Paul bounce in a competition,
I remember watching the films of his outstanding performances at a coaches
conference and he inspired us all. He set very high standards for everyone to
follow. I hope we can commemorate his achievements in some way."
Jim Crowe
I am so sad to here of Paul's death. Paul and I
often talked at recent Grade 1 competitions of performers who were around in
the late 60's and early 70's and how tariff was much more important in those
days. I coached a lad called John Maslen who was U15 and U18 National Champion
in the 70's when Paul was at the peak of his career, John also teamed up
with Paul Burgoyne to win the European Youth Synchro title....but it was the
hours that John and I spent studying the training video of Paul, that Pual's
Dad lent us , that really made the difference to John's performances and he
was soon performing a 10.9 tariff routine on a half inch bed at the age of 16
in a Youth International , although his form nowhere near matched the
impeccable Paul Luxon ! ( this routine , by the way included a half out triff
start and a 2 and three quarter somie, triple bounce roll, fliff ball out
finish ! ).However the interest and help from Paul came years before that
when John entered his first Southern Areas in Portsmouth with the likes of
Dave Curtis, Dave Pittaway, Bobby Anderson etc Paul sidled up to me and
quietly said in that shy manner of his that he had never seen anyone with such
Spatial Awareness,,,but ,....did I realise that John's half out was going the
opposite direction to all his other twists! so it was back to the drawing
board ...and I am convinced if we hadn't done that John would never had
achieved what he did....Paul and I have remained friends ever since, we even
did our tutor training together. It is a reflection on Paul as a kind and
generous man that you could not meet a more pleasant set of performers and
coaches than at Kingston Kites, the club that he worked so hard to establish
as a real force to be reckoned with on the National circuit.
I will miss him as a fellow coach, trampoline
enthuisiast and a great Ambassador for our sport but most of all I will miss
him as a genuine friend who always had time to listen to other people's
problems. My heart goes out to his family and close friends, I hope very much
to be at his funeral.
Howard Tear Southampton Trampoline Club
We at the Irish Trampoline Technical
Committee would like to express our greatest sympathy to the family and
friends of Paul Luxon. I ( Francie Craven) personally never got the chance to
meet Paul, but I have heard many goods things about him through many friends
in trampoline.
With deepest sympathy,
Francie Craven
Vice-President Irish Trampoline
Paul was a trampolining legend to me and
unfortunately my time working with him on the National Squad was not as
extensive as I would have liked as I should loved for him to have imparted to me
more of his trampolining knowledge.
On a personal front Paul was always supportive, kind
and helpful and like many truly great achievers was always modest when I spoke
with him about his trampolining.
Before Paul became very ill he had offered his help
and support with Kirsten's Olympic preparation. We were both touched that
despite his illness he could offer us such help.
I am so sorry that the Olympic contingent will be
unable to attend what I hope is a celebration of a great life on Monday as we
will be en route for Barcelona. I shall be thinking of Paul's friends and family
and will always be grateful for the times I spent with Paul.
Sue Lawton
Moutier, 20th July 2004
To
the family of Paul Luxon
Dear Ute,
dear Denis, dear Alyson, dear family,
It is with
great sadness that we have learned that Paul has passed away. We and the whole
worldwide Trampoline family are mourning with you. We have known Paul since
his training days at the Regent Street Polytechnic and followed his
extraordinary career at all major competitions. Paul was one of the great
Champions and who marked the history of Trampolining and thus one of those who
helped Trampolining to reach the status it has today. We have not only known
Paul as a outstanding individual competitor, but as a beloved friend to all
competitors and take caring coach and leader. We are happy to see Denis
following the footsteps of his father and wish him good luck in his career.
Paul will be sadly missed and never forgotten. Please accept our condolences
in the name of the former International Trampoline Federation.
In the
name of the former
Fédération Internationale de Trampoline (FIT)
Ron Froehlich André F. Gueisbuhler
President Secretary General
I began trampolining in 1981 and worked with a whole
host of coaches through my teens. I started trampolining with Paul in 1995
after seeing an advert in the local paper and was made very welcome. I knew I
had loads of bad habbits, but Paul put up with most of them. He coached me
through to National Grade B Finals in 1997, where he wanted to wring my neck
after an awful crash dive/BBO which we had worked so hard on, but I still
managed 7th place, which wasn't bad for an "Old Performer"
By this time I was coaching 6 days a week for him,
both recreational and limited squads and began to get the urge to compete some
of the performers I was working with. Paul sorted some small comps and off we
went. We had amazing results and I couldn't wait to pop round his house on
the way home and give him the results. This was where it all went wrong.
The more comps we did, the more I felt I needed to
look at going my own way, I wanted the challenge of running a club, working
with my own performers. So in 1998 Galaxy was born. Small at first then
growing stedily. Paul and I fell out for a while after this, he felt I had
betrayed him though this was not my intention. I knew I couldn't compete with
his experience or talent.
The time passed and then in 2001 we moved Galaxy to
Southern Region from Eastern. Now Galaxy and Kingston would compete against
each other. This was the best move I made. Not only did it begin to build the
bridges between Paul and I, It also proved Galaxy (or me) were no threat to
Kingston Kites. Over the next few years, we spoke more and more and within the
last year, I have taken performers to Paul and sought his advice on many
occasions.
Then the awful news last year. I spoke to Anke who
told me how ill he was. We all hoped he would recover, but during the Milton
Keynes Open Competition in May this year, we heard the news no-one could
believe. Paul wouldn't get better.
Words will not express the sadness I feel. Paul and I
were friends again and he in November last year, agreed to Mentor my HPC. He
has always been my mentor. The only coach who could inspire me to do more.
Those of you from Kingston back in the earlier days,
will i'm sure remember the Double Backs! "The first one is better than an
orgasm Paul said"? Not too sure he was right, but still think of that to this
day, every time I teach them or, on extreme occasions, still have a go at one
myself. It makes me laugh!
Pauls teaching methods will always be obvious at
Galaxy as everything I do follows in some way from how he taught me through
the years at Kingston.
I am not able to attend the funeral or service in
Paul's memory as I am out of the country. Those who know me will know I
sincerely send my thoughts to Alyson, Anke, Ute, Dennis, Linda, John and
everyone who had ever been close to Paul. He will be always in the heart of
trampolining.
Sarah Hay Davison (Trundell) Galaxy Trampolining -
Milton Keynes
Sometimes i think life is not fair it always seems to be the best who
leave us first, Paul was my mentor coach for the last year, I remember walking
into the centre for the first time and seeing him supporting somersaults, then
showing them the moves himself, he never stopped nor allowed anything to hinder
him from giving his all for everyone else, he will be in our minds and there he
will live forever.
Peter Gledhill
I heard the sad news about
Paul's untimely death on the day it happened. I passed the word to my old
Trampolining friends, both in this country and out. I have 2 distinct memories
of Paul among the many, 1974 Y&NM Open Championships (I think it was '74),
Paul's winning routines and Chris Stock doing double back to springs, a feat
they both repeated the very next day. And at Carnegie College later in the
1970's Paul was coaching a proficiency course but we weren't in the Glass Gym,
but an Assembly Hall. The light was shining in our eyes when we bounced so
Paul tried to close the 30' high curtains, which he promptly pulled down on
himself, the trampoline and the spotters...
Tony Roebuck remembers trying
to explain Fish fingers to Ute, she didn't believe they could exist and
thought it was a joke.
Paul was an inspiration to us
younger performers, we all began on 77A's and I learnt double backs and 1/2
outs on them, if Paul could do it, so could I, only much much scruffier, as
I'm sure everyone who remembers my style will agree. Still I remember he did
get my Crash Dive Barani Ballout straight!
I'm only sorry I didn't get a
chance to meet up with him again, since I moved to the south.
My best wishes to his family
and friends at this time. I hope to be there on Monday
Tony
Fagelman
I
've know Paul
for nearly 40 years, and we always talked on a regular basis. I remember once
we went to the NISSEN Cup together and both cocked our routines up. They
always gave watches for first 3 places but we didn't get one, so we decided to
buy our own. While coming through customs we decided to tell them we won them
if we got stopped and stopped we were, Paul in one room me in another, you
guessed it he said he was 1st and i was 2nd, and i said i was 1st and he was
2nd. They then got us both together and get our stories right, with this Paul
said if he had stayed on he would have won and I replied well like hell I am
British champion i would have won. With this the customs men said please go
and next time you compete let us know. Paul was a big part of my trampoline
life and my thoughts go out to his family Alison , baby John and of course
Rose his mother. I will be attending Paul's funeral to pay my respects to a
person who i can call a dear friend . God will have a great trampoline team
when he arrives. God bless,
Dave Curtis
Paul was an inspiration:
As a performer he was the first to make a high
tariff look good. He broke the American stranglehold on the world title and
opened the possibility of winning this to every nation. I would sit with John
his dad in his flat in Hackney watching his collection of tapes and video of
Paul and his contemporaries competing, training and at play, marvelling at
Paul's ability, his awareness, trying to spot what made him so good. As a young
curious coach at the WAG in 1990, seeking answers, I asked Paul how he had
prepared himself psychologically before he performed. "I'd think - stay on and
I'll win" was his reply. He was simply the best - a unique talent.
As a coach he was equally driven, to give his best
to bring the best out from those he taught. His work in Germany with the likes
of Ralf Pelle and Michael Kuhn and more recently the legacy in England of the
Kingston Kites. He never settled for less than all he could give, his passion
for the sport - even the times when it had been unkind to him - was never
diminished.
As a man he lived his life to the full. At the World
Championships in Hanover last year he was still recovering from another set of
treatment but talked enthusiastically about what he was seeing and how he was
going to coach his world champion, whilst finding time to encourage a junior
coach he had only just met and order "Weisse beer" in German. His passion for
life, for trampolining, his love for his friends, his mum, his family stayed
with him and was not diminished by his illness. My best wishes are with his
whole family and close friends at this time.
I will miss him but will continue to be inspired by
him.
Robin Atkins BG Regional Development Officer -
London
My old synchro partner Andrea Holmes wrote me a letter which I recieved today
here in the USA. She wrote of the terrible news that Paul was diagnosed with
advanced Cancer. I immediately went searching for my very old address book,
trying to find a number to call. When I realized England time was midnight, I
went online, only to discover this website and the heart wrenching news. I
was on the British team in the early 80's and was good friends with Paul and
his father. I have not been in touch for many years, but remember Ute very
well. I just wanted to send my condolences to his family. Know that his
memory will be so cherished far and wide, even though the decades have passed,
it seems like only yesterday. Anyone who ever met Paul will never forget him.
Penny Thomas
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of
paul. like many people around the world Paul had an incredible impact on me as a
performer. I did not know Paul very well but every time me and Johnny Tenn
would catch a glimpse of him coaching for Germany we would say..'look there's
Paul'...I am not sure of how many hours we spent watching his old black and
white videos..with Brian Moor..jumping without end decks and for the time doing
incredible stuff...
We both grew up in Islington and I felt
that we came from the same beginnings and we overcame to go on...he truly was an
inspiration to me. He is a man I highly respect and who I held in high regard
and I always felt good when we spoke.
A true genius in the sport of
trampolining and a lovely man.
I am so sorry and only hope this loss will
be eased by knowing he had made such a massive contribution to many thousands of
kids like myself.
All the very best and my thoughts are
with you.
Theo Kypri
Those of us out here do so want to
be included, with all our friends from our BTA and BTF days, in passing on our
feelings of great sadness to Paul's family.
You may know that, here in Sydney, we
have a small expat group of English Trampolinists all living in very close
proximity and therefore keeping in touch.
We heard, with great sadness of the loss of Paul and would like
to record our feelings about a great friend, a great trampolinist and a great
coach without whom our sport will be the poorer. Having seen Dennis bounce at
the 2001 World Age Games here in Sydney, however, it is very clear that Paul
will live on through his son.
Frank, originally from Liverpool, is now a professional circus
performer and remembers Paul as his greatest Synchro partner. David, from the
North East and I from North Cheshire Trampoline Club, now coach together and
both remember Paul through coaching courses - mine - those famous Crystal Palace
weeks with Paul, Pat, Les, Mike, Rob, Dennis, Jack, John, Sue, Bert & many
others - which invariably ended with Paul's dad, John, pushing me onto a slow
moving train at Euston just in time! I was happy to meet up with Paul again on a
trip home in 2001.
We all send our love to Paul's family and hope that they can find
some comfort in the many kind words which will have been and which will continue
to be said about Paul.
Judy Perrin (Jones), David & Sue
Armston & Frank Kearns
Sydney, Australia
Because of Military obligations, I did not hear
of Paul's death until 26th July. To say that I was devastated would be an
understament. However, in retrospect, Paul's passing away was not unexpected,
having spent some time with him at Nationals this year, in the company of
his dear friends, Bob Hughes, John and Penny Beer, it was obvious to all that
he was in great pain but determined to see his son Dennis compete in our
Nationals as a guest competitor.
I first knew Paul Luxon (some 38 years
ago) through my friendship with his father John; and like his son, the kindest
of men.
Paul, we will miss you greatly.
John Beeton
FIG TR TC Member
BG NTTC Member
Where do I start about my Best mate Paul. At this time of writing I have
lost not only a very close friend in Paul but a kind. helpful and honest and a
graceful person. Paul will be sadly missed for his fantastic trampoline
skills. coaching skill. a loyal dad and last of all the fight he showed to the
bitter end. In all the years I have known Paul about 40 years he always had
that charm self believe and confidence. He never showed any harm only love
through out his life. Only last year Paul phoned me up and said Robbie we are
going to the World Championships in Germany. He had arranged flights. hotel.
car hire. tickets etc.even thou he was not very well.
My heart goes out to his mum Rose. David. Alyson his sons Dennis John. and
his daughter Linda. I was just so pleased to have had a chance and priviledge
to have meet Paul and his family and to travel the world with such an
ambassador and loyal supporter of trampolining this country has ever known and
will never be forgotten. I wiill miss him.
Robbie Hughes. World Syncronised Champion. 1972.
Paul- you will always be remembered for your smile and amazing teaching
skills! Training at Milton Keynes with you was one of my most memorible times.
I will never forget you! My heart goes out to all who loved Paul Luxon.
-
Faye Meaden
Dear Paul,
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to
even find this website. I must admit that I didn't look for a long time, why
should I? We were seeing each other most days, often alone, talking about
trampolining, the good old days, the club, the family, old times. The first
forays into curry after a Wednesday at Crystal Palace under the auspices of
Merle Clay, wonder what ever she's doing these days. Even having a knock at
squash early on, not quite like the beautiful battles of our 1970s or the more
recent 1990s, where you showed your prodigeous tallent for all sport, giving
me a hell of a run for my money when I'd played at Kent and Bucks. level while
you'd been producing world standard trampolinists. Our mutual love of Guiness
and real ale, well that never lead us into any scrapes, all the people were so
laid back, but it never tasted so good as after a game or a work out. We
always agreed that. I've got so many memories of you, spanning your whole
life, almost. I remember meeting at London Y.M.C.A. in Tottenham crt. Rd., not
that either of us were practicing christians, but two great coaches held
classes there - Brian Moore in trampolining, and Harold Barton in
Gymnastics. That was about 1965 I think, I know that I was still at college.
The first time you moved from the 77a 1/2 inch to the floor and did a round
off flip, full back on our coconut mats I was truly impressed, having spent 6
months learning the same thing only to have a prococious 'kid' come along and
show how it could be done. But you didn't brag, never did. We got on. You
told me how easy it was on the trampoline in comparison, and that I should try
it. After another year of killing my unconditioned body to a standstill (no
one I knew then did conditioning for gymnastics, they just usd the rigours of
the sport to strengthen and prepare themselves) I disappointed Harrold and
moved across to the 'soft option' of trampoline. Working next to you and Bri,
I got my moves moving and was 12th. in the British mens that year, went on to
be 5th. 4th. and Men's Team Winners for Regent St. Poly with You and Alan
Gonzales, Bobby Stroud? can't remember shamefully, but it was a great moment.
Unfortunately, when you left for Germany after winning the worlds I left
tramp. and did canoeing and other stuff, it wasn't the same. Our contacts over
those years were always tremendous, although sometimes they were so energetic
it felt more like being on a course. If it's allowed I might continue to write
to this site, or I might just carry on to your loved ones mate. Anyway, I have
my own 'biographies' of you, I'm sorry that this wasn't more recent, it's been
an well, I would say 'honour' having you as a friend, but that's not your way
is it? But I still learn from you, always think of you - I'll always be there
for Ally and John, and Lida if she ever needs me, but that I doubt, take care
old friend, miss but love you, Russ, and of course Gen.
I used to train with Paul at the Polytechnic Regent
St with Russ Jackman, Bob Stroud, Brian Moore, Rob Walker etc.
Apart from the training sessions when Paul would be
the first to do a new move or when we would all inevitably lose to him in a game
of tag-on, my fondest memory of Paul is of him winning the first european
championships in Paris.....................I was there with a bunch of other mad
Brits cheering him on.
If I remember rightly, after the compulsories and
the first vols he was lying a very close second to Kurt Hohener of
Switzerland.During the break Paul came over to us for achat , almost as if it
was just another training session. He went back out and produced another quality
routine. Kurt Hohener had to follow that, but he didn`t quite make it. We Brits
made a bit of noise as you can imagine and Paul was over the moon, not because
he had beaten anyone but because he had won. He was a true competitor and an
ambassador, one of the best we will ever see.
In 1973 I got married and "retired" from
trampolining, much to my regret, but one thing I don`t regret is having known
Paul.
Like many others I feel honoured to have known and
trained with Paul and my heart goes out to his family and friends.
If there is a life on the other side maybe we"ll get
to renew old acquaintances, if not, then not to worry because you will not be
forgotten for a very long time.
It was a privilege knowing you. Goodbye mate. Alan
Gonzalez
Paul Luxon.You were my inspiration and biggest
influence, I wish you was still here. Who doesn't? Paul, that National finals
(2nd and 3rd of July 2005) was for you. I know you were there watching,
sitting up in that v.i.p lounge balcony where we visited you before you
died with your long hair, like it was in 1972-3 when you won the world
championships and syncro world championships with Bob Hughes, watching us
bounce and seeing how well we have progressed and performed. Paul, I know you
have gone now, but you will always be in that v.i.p box at the nationals for
me, and I will perform to my best ability just to see you smile again, and
make you feel proud to have taught me because I consider it a great honour and
privilege to have been taught by you. Paul, I cant thank you enough for
teaching me what you have taught me in my trampolining. Its helped me so much
to get me where I am today, and for that I am truly and deeply thankful. You
are always going to be remembered by myself and Kingston Kites trampoline
club, and you will always be in my heart, and bouncing with me whenever I
compete. The skills you were performing on the 77a 1/2 inch bed such as
triples and the Luxon, were amazing! you were so neat and tight, and having
the ability to perform skills in different ways such as exiting moves with
your arms in different places or in different shapes, and having to have the
rules of trampolining changed to accustom your way of trampolining is really
saying something! Your dream of coaching a world champion (a British one of
course), will come true. Kingston Kites, will make it happen. I have received
a letter from British Gymnastics inviting me to join the British squad
'cluster training' (18th July 2005), and this brings me one step closer to my
dream, and yours. In the 2006 Nationals (15th-16th July) I finally achieved
5th place, after coming 6th two years running it was about time I reached my
goal! So yet again I'm delighted to be going back to the cluster clinic.
thanks you by the way for bouncing with me in the nationals just gone, at
times, I really needed you. Also I can proudly say to you that Bert Scales and
Dennis have both on separate occasions approached me and told me that they can
see you in me. that they can tell by my bouncing that you were my coach.
that's just how much of an impact you have had on me. you've certainly left
your mark Paul! I cant explain how much you shall be missed, but remember you
shall not be forgotten, because now that you have gone, I have something to
prove. and that something is that I WAS coached by Paul Luxon, and I can
bounce to the best of my ability just how you showed me and taught me to.
Because much like you, my passion for trampolining, shall never die, you shall
always be a trampolining legend to me. R.I.P.
thanks
regards Nick Winther