Family of much-loved shop owner pay tribute after his sudden death - having served the Clay Cross community for decades

David Jones, who ran the Clay Cross DIY store on Market Street alongside his wife Anne, passed away unexpectedly last week at the age of 69.

He was a familiar face for many in Clay Cross, having first launched the shop at its previous Bridge Street location nearly 40 years ago - before moving to Market Street in 2008.

Anne said that David was passionate about both his business and the wider Clay Cross community - and took great pride in what he had built over the years.

She said: “David opened the shop in 1988 shortly after the birth of his second child, Kerry, and while I was at home looking after her and Carl, he would run the shop single handedly, often asking Alan at the pub across the road to watch the till when he went to the loo!

“As the business grew and the children went to school, I joined him and we brought in more staff, two of whom still work for us now after more than a quarter of a century of service.

“David loved the shop and the community and took pride in offering free local delivery, especially for customers who were less mobile, and his van would often be seen around the area on his afternoon deliveries. The shop even remained open during COVID times as an essential service, working out of the front door as people came to collect items.

“Clay Cross DIY has been the epicentre of his life’s work and he was very proud of what he had built.”

David is also survived by his two children, Carl and Kerry, his grandchildren, Jacob and Emilia, and his daughter-in-law, Lynsey. He also loved his ‘granddogs’, Indiana and Koda.

Anne said: “Family has always been very important to David and drove his work ethic to make the shop a success. As much as he loved being behind the counter, he also loved a holiday.

“We spent summer holidays in Europe in the campervan as the kids were growing up, visited Florida and Sundays were spent on day trips to the seaside in the few hours a week the shop was closed.

“When grandchildren arrived shortly after his 50th birthday, he was a very loving and committed Grandad too, taking Jacob and Emilia out and about in the camper and on holidays with us.”

David’s family also expressed their gratitude for the efforts of the Clay Cross DIY team - who helped to keep the shop open after he had passed away.

Anne said: “David had often joked that he’d have to be carried out of the shop and that it should remain open if he ever was. Thanks to the incredible staff we have, we were able to fulfil that wish for him.

“We are very grateful to Anjie, Emma, Helen and Ciaran, his staff team, who’ve worked so hard under terribly difficult circumstances to keep the shop open - as well as the many friends who’ve offered support at this difficult time.

“The shop has remained open for business in all weathers and through major events over the last 40 years and while this might be the biggest event we’ve endured on a personal level, it truly would have been his wish for the doors to remain open.

“If he were here now, he’d probably be asking how busy the shop was!”

Anne added that the community had overwhelmed their family with kindness and support in the days following David’s death - and that the way in which people had rallied around them had helped them throughout this difficult time.

She said: “The response from the community has been absolutely overwhelming. We of course knew that he was well-loved and respected after four decades in the town but to have received so many well wishes, flowers and cards has been a great comfort as we come to terms with what has happened.”