A POPULAR south Oxfordshire solicitor, who served the local community for more than 30 years, has died suddenly, aged 78.

Mark Thomas, right, who served as a senior partner of Hedges Solicitors from 1985 to 1996, died on Saturday, July 31, in Oxford.

Colleagues at the Didcot-based firm, described him as “much respected by his fellow professionals as being extremely fair, straightforward, and full of common sense.”

After spending much of his childhood in Chipping Norton and studying at Bloxham School and Radley College, he was seconded to the King’s African Rifles during national service, serving in Kenya.

After completing a course at Oxford, he joined the Colonial Service and returned to Africa to work as a district officer in Tanganyika.

He moved back to Oxfordshire four years later and became trainee solicitor at the then Hedges & Son before qualifying in 1967.

Mr Thomas married Patricia the following year, and moved to South Moreton, where he continued to live.

Speaking of his work as a solicitor, Mrs Thomas said: “He always enjoyed helping local people, and the varied nature of the work at a general legal practice.”

Mr Thomas died suddenly during the preparations for his younger son William’s wedding due to take place this weekend.

He was very proud of his three children, Katherine, 39, Stephen, 37, and William, 33, and will be greatly missed by Patricia, his family and all of his friends and acquaintances.