The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Popular Angus and Dundee athletics coach John Oulton dies at 88.
Arbroath Athletics Club founder and Hawkhill Harriers stalwart John Oulton, whose talent saw him awarded an MBE, has died at 88.
Born in Warrington, Cheshire, Mr Oulton joined the Fleet Air Arm after leaving school in 1947.
He met his wife-to-be Margaret while they were at Lymm Grammar School and the inseparable couple were married in 1954 when John was stationed at Stretton Air Station in Cheshire. They went on to have two sons, Stuart and Gary.
During his time in the military, John represented the Navy in inter-service competition and was selected for the International British junior team.
He had been stationed at Condor, on the outskirts of Arbroath, and following his retirement from the Navy after 25 years, the family returned to the Angus town, where John took up a specialised post in the repair shop of the then-new Michelin factory in Dundee.
In 1978 he led the formation of Arbroath and District Little Athletics Club (ADLAC).
The club went from strength to strength and continues under the name of Arbroath and District Athletics Club.
John’s love of athletics saw him compete throughout his life, including long jump and high jump as a veteran and he remains the holder of six records.
A move to Monifieth in 1986 led John to move to Dundee Hawkhill Harriers, developing his own coaching methods.
The highlight of his coaching career came at the 2000 Sydney Olympics when physically-challenged athletes Pauline Latto and Caroline Innes took gold medals in the javelin and 400m respectively.
He remained a regular at the Caird Park track into the 1990s and was honoured with lifetime membership by Hawkhill Harriers.
In 2003, John received the MBE for services to sport and coaching and he enjoyed the honour of carrying the Olympic torch through the streets of Monifieth in 2012.
He was diagnosed with dementia five years ago and died in the Prosen Unit at Whitehills, Forfar. He is survived by his wife and sons.