TRIBUTES have been paid to Wyre Forest’s king of swing - music lover John Facer - who has died, aged 75.

Mr Facer - well known throughout the district’s clubs, bars and music circles as JTB (John The Boat) for his love of vessels - was found dead at home in Kimberley Avenue, Cookley, on Wednesday last week following health complications.

The retired father-of-three moved to Kidderminster in the mid-70s and worked as an audiologist, running his own business Micro-Digital Hearing Ltd but he is perhaps best known for lighting up the town’s nightlife as “the oldest swinger in Kidderminster”.

Mr Facer entertained thousands of Kidderminster revellers as he was famous for dancing the night away - right up until his death - and his karaoke rendition of White Cherry’s Play That Funky Music.

Daughter April Facer said: “During his last few years he was the oldest swinger in town. Something he has always been is young at heart so he never really stayed in. He always wanted to hang out with younger crowds and keep up with the latest things.

“When I was younger he would be out [former Kidderminster nightclub] Mirage partying away 40 years older than me, I was 18 and he was 58. When he went to the Watermill karaoke, everybody would chant ‘John, play that funky music’.

“He loved music his whole life. He spent his last night that we know he was alive dancing the night away at the Kingfisher Country Club in Wall Heath.”

Mr Facer was born in Kendal, Cumbria and moved to Wolverhampton when he was a child. He moved to Kidderminster in the mid 1970s and was well loved by many of his regular patients as an audiologist. His favourite local pub was The Tumbling Sailor in Mill Street. He moved to Cookley two years ago where he lived alone.

He was married twice during his life and leaves being three children - April, John and David, as well as a number of grandchildren.

April added: “His love life was complicated, he was a ladies man and a charmer and would definitely have been well known for that - he was not one to settle down.”

Mr Facer’s funeral will take place next Monday at 4pm at Wyre Forest Cemetery and Crematorium, Stourport Road between Kidderminster and Stourport. The service will be followed by a celebration of his life at the Kingfisher Country Club where he spent many happy times, including his stag night.

April said: “He will be loved and missed and always remembered for his love of life. Play That Funky Music will be his last song at his funeral . People will have known him all around town for his love of music.”

Mr Facer also loved boats and most recently owned one called Katisca II. Donations at his funeral will go towards lifeboat charity the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).