Former publican Ron 'Captain' Kirk, a landlord in Oxfordshire for 16 years, has died aged 67.

Mr Kirk ran The Fishes, in North Hinksey, Oxford, between 1984 and 1996, and The Crown, in Finstock, near Witney, from 1997 to 2000.

He was born on a farm in Buckinghamshire.

The youngest of five children, he was doted on by his older sisters, Marj and Vera.

After leaving school, he was taken on as an apprentice plumber with a local building firm and made his parents very proud when he was awarded his indentures.

He fell victim to mesothelioma - a rare asbestos-related disease that he probably contracted while he was an apprentice.

He met his future wife Kathy when they both worked at the Studley Arms, in Stokenchurch.

They married in the late 1970s and moved to Oxford.

Alongside the licensed trade, Mr Kirk's other unrivalled passion was dominoes - he continued playing until the week he died.

Mrs Kirk said: "He was a very private man and only a few people were aware of his deteriorating health. He faced up to this illness with quiet dignity."

Mr Kirk was also closely involved with the Lion Golf Society, and helped to organise golfing days and trips abroad.

After leaving the pub trade, he ran his own private hire business.