It is with the utmost sadness that we have to let you know that Mike died last Friday at the Pilgrims Hospice near his home in Sandwich. He was young, aged only 64 years, with much still to give.

Mike coped bravely with pancreatic cancer for the past nine months. During this time he was supported and cared for wonderfully by his family, who nursed him during the latter stages of his illness until three days before he died. On behalf of the whole King's community, we send our most sincere condolences to his wife Frances, their children Jon and Kate, his brother Nigel - all three of whom are OKS - and other members of his family. No one will miss Mike more than his family, to whom he was a tower of strength, and our thoughts and prayers are with them at this tragic time.

Mike was one of the best of men, perceptive, reliable, honest and natural. It is difficult to imagine anyone more committed to King's than he was, or anyone more liked and respected. He arrived in Walpole in September 1958 and during the next five years made an outstanding contribution to the life of the School; by the time he left in 1963 he had been in the first teams for rugby, hockey and cricket (of which he was captain); not many achieve that considerable distinction, but he was also a ‘purple' - or school monitor as it was known in those days - a testimony to his strong leadership qualities as well as to his generous and friendly character, all of which shone through in later life.

Mike left King's with a Gilbert and Shepherd Leaving Exhibition, and went to Newcastle University where he studied chemical engineering, after which he embarked on a successful business career in the oil industry.

Throughout his working life, Mike was involved in the OKS. Initially, he played an active part in OKS sport - hockey and cricket - and he organised successful cricket tours to Malaysia and Kenya. Then, in 1999, he became President. This was a role for which he was perfectly prepared and in which he excelled; by the time he handed over the presidency in 2004 he had widened the remit of the Association, extended its activities and increased participation in its affairs. More recently, he was a trustee of the OKS Education and Benevolent Trust, a member of the King's Foundation Committee, vice chairman of both the new Birley Pavilion and King's Ball committees, and was Captain of the OKS Golf Association.

Mike will be widely mourned and greatly missed by the whole King's community.

The family will hold a private service of cremation for Mike.  They have requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations in aid of the East Kent Hospice are sent via Funeral Directors J. Dilnot Smith & Sons, Beacon Lane, Woodnesborough, Kent CT13 0PD (01304 812300). 

There will be a Memorial Service in Canterbury Cathedral on Monday 1st December at 2.00pm to celebrate his life. Further details will be published as soon as the arrangements are known.

There will be a full appreciation within next term's OKS Publications.

Felicity Lyons (SH 1975-77) was elected as OKS President at the OKS Association AGM on 18 April 2008. Felicity is the first lady President of the OKS, is married to Nicholas Lyons (LX 1972-77), is a King's School parent and is on the King's Ball committee. She is a Patron of the National Theatre and of Nevill Holt Opera and a Guardian of the Haven Trust, a breast cancer charity.

Newly elected OKS committee:

OKS are a very important part of the school and play a vital role in its development. As visitors, parents, staff, lecturers or Governors, OKS always enjoy a very warm welcome, whether they have come to enjoy the social scene too, impart specialist knowledge and / or to contribute to the sense of community which makes King's such a special place.

This site is the new web platform for the Association and its many and varied activities. We will be continuing to develop the site over the coming months to improve and increase its effectiveness as the principal point of contact and information for everyone involved in the activities of the OKS, the School and for those simply wishing to make contact or remain in touch with current news and information.

This new site is the first example of the work being undertaken by the Association to improve and expand its sphere of activity and to increasingly make itself relevant and useful to its more than 8,000 members (both pupils and staff). We welcome your feedback and are always keen to hear from OKS of any age and situation on their activities, experiences and news, about themselves and / or contemporaries. We are also delighted to hear from anyone wishing to become more involved with any of our activities.

The Association works closely with the School, the Foundation and the Friends of King’s Society and provides a powerful forum for contact, advice and information for its members as well as being a conduit through which alumni can help support the School in its work.

By actively and energetically supporting the school, its current, past and future pupils, staff and parents with an inclusive, diverse and caring approach, the OKS will help its members stay in touch, providing contact, advice and care through professional, relevant and dynamic activities.

To be a worldwide club, that is inspirational and compelling; and the partner of choice for support and contact for the School and its Alumni.