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We are sad to share that Jon House passed away after a bravely fought battle with cancer on Wednesday 1 October. He passed away at home, surrounded by family, having fulfilled his wish of holding his two new grandchildren just the weekend before.
Jon was a very big part of the lives of so many at Simpkins Edwards, and the lives of our clients, throughout and after his 43-year career with the firm. He brought his positive outlook and caring nature to every encounter.
Jon’s journey with Simpkins Edwards began in July 1978 with an interview with John Simpkins and a role at the Exeter office. His first desk was next to Rob Bedford, with both going on to become partners in the firm and lifelong friends.
In early 1985, the opportunity arose to take a manager role at the Holsworthy office. At that time, Holsworthy had just four members of staff and a partner, Les Phillips, who visited every Wednesday when the livestock and pannier markets were held. Jon, as a 24 year old manager, grew the office, adding more people to the team and plenty more clients. Jon was offered partnership with effect from 1 January 1989. He still holds the accolade for the youngest partner in the firm’s history.
Jon and his wife, Tracy, worked together for many years at our Holsworthy office, with many referring to them as ‘work mum and dad’. Jon was incredibly supportive and took genuine joy from developing employees and clients’ businesses. He was instrumental in building the Holsworthy location over the years, as well as taking a lead role in managing the wider firm through his time on the management board. Jon’s was always a considered opinion, seeing the best in people.
Even when he fell ill, he was resilient and inspired many of us to try and view life through the same, positive, lens. His parting words upon his retirement were:
“I have spent the last thirty-seven years looking after the staff and clients at the Holsworthy office to the best of my ability and wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve got things wrong in that time but believe that if you learn from the mistakes, it’s all good experience.
If I’ve learned one thing over the years, accountancy is not about the money or the numbers, it’s about the people. If you have empathy with client businesses and their lives, you will have loyalty and build long standing relationships that make you look forward to going to the office every day.”
We take those words to heart and focus on the people we’re interacting with; in the hope we can take half as much joy and empathy out of our days as Jon did.
Tracy and the family invite all who wish to celebrate Jon’s life to join them at the funeral on Saturday 25 October, 2pm, at Northlew Church, EX20 3NY. There will be refreshments and time to share our many stories of Jon back at Halwill Parish Hall after the service.
The family request no flowers, but donations can be made to North Devon Hospice, who helped Jon so much towards the end of his journey, either via J E Stacey & Co or directly.
