I was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of Lord Tarsem King of West Bromwich.
He was one of the giants of civic and political life in Sandwell in recent decades, and many, many people in the borough – and further afield – will miss him greatly.
I know that I for one will.
The details of Lord King’s public service are a testament in themselves to the influence he had.
He was a councillor from 1979 to 2007, leader from 1997 to 2001 and mayor in 2001/02.
He became the first Sikh member of the House of Lords in 1999.
Back home he became an Honorary Alderman in Sandwell in 2008 and an Honorary Freeman the following year.
His contribution to Sandwell was immense. He tirelessly served the whole community.
He deepened that contribution on the national stage when he was made a life peer, an honour he greatly deserved.
I will always remember him as, literally, a gentle man, one of the most courteous and thoughtful of people I have ever met.
My thoughts at this time are with his family.
I was shocked to hear today that Tarsem had passed away, and that I had missed his funeral. He always had time to stop and say hello, and really engage with people. I loved talking with him- he was a graceful and humorous, humble man who told me that although travelling to the Lords was time- consuming, he loved to go and do his best for people and was so proud of Sandwell. He enriched those he met. Please can Sandwell Council open a book of condolences? My deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
Lord King was the people’s champion,he serve people of Sandwell with respect,we all will missed him greatley and loss to his family,May god let him in peace.
He will be sadly missed. A real gentlemen.
On behalf of everyone at the West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre, we are deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of our dear friend Lord Tarsem King of West Bromwich.
Lord King has been a humble and trusted associate, a politician who served the individual as well as the community here in the Borough of Sandwell. He was respected and appreciated by our members and their families. We have lost a great, who whenever he was in and around town was always approachable.
Over the years, Lord King supported significant events of the charity such as Annual General Meetings, Open Days and more recently the Jamaica 50th Year of Independence celebrations.
Our deepest and heartfelt sympathy to all his family and it was a great privilige to have known Lord Tarsem King.
From Mrs Sarah Thomas – Chair of the West Bromwich African Caribbean Resource Centre.
So sad, he was a true gentleman.
Geraldine