THE former chairman of Lakeland-Ford Kendal has died, aged 88.

Dennis Dixon was chairman at what used to be Skippers of Kendal from 1971 until 1997 during a career in the motoring industry that took him all over the world.

Mr Dixon was born in 1927 at Kinghorn, overlooking the Firth of Forth and Edinburgh. He became an apprentice at the local Ford dealership in Kirkaldy, qualified as a mechanic and then became parts manager.

In 1953 he left Scotland for a posting in what is now Malawi to join United Africa Corporation to oversee the production and sale of Willis Jeeps.

A year later he was joined by his soon-to-be wife Moira and five years later their son Cliff was born.

His career overseas continued and he took up positions with Vauxhall, Chevrolet, Citroen and Ford in Nigeria and later joined Austin in Kenya until 1963.

Mr Dixon was ambitious and his role as Group MD took him to City Motor Company Cardiff, GB&E in Liverpool and in 1969 his next opportunity was to take over some of Barton Townley’s Garages as group managing director of the Oliver Rix Group based in Lancaster – controlling 57 garages.

In 1971 Ford Motor Company Ltd offered Mr Dixon the opportunity to work for himself and that is how Skippers of Kendal became Lakeland-Ford. He was joined by Ron Whyte, his brother-in-law as sales director and his son joined the team, benefitting from his father's experience as a mentor for 23 years. They shared a special relationship.

Following a heart attack in 1987, Mr Dixon passed the role of managing director over to his son, freeing himself up to do what he loved and considered a key role in any sales based business, which was to meet people.

Mr and Mrs Dixon built close and lasting friendships through their love of motorsport and music. They became major sponsors of the Morecambe Illumination Rally, Holker Driving Trials, Lakeland Rose Show and Lakeland Sinfonia. During their latter years their passion for music and dancing continued alongside spending time with their family, particularly their grandchildren Joanna and Graham.

Mrs Dixon died 10 months ago. Mr Dixon died comfortably with his family present at Kendal Care Home on Tuesday January 13.