Tributes have been paid to Pembrokeshire County Councillor John Thomas who has died, aged 84. Clr. Thomas, of Ger-y-Nant, Llandissilio, was twice chairman of the council. He was chairman when the authority came into being in 1995, during its 'shadow' year and in its first full year, and he was also elected chairman for 2004-2005. Originally from Login, Clr. Thomas had been involved in agriculture in the Llawhaden parish for 40 years, retiring from farming at Ty-Newydd, Bethesda, 22 years ago. He had been a councillor for 32 years, representing the Maenclochog electoral division which includes Llandissilio, Mynachlogddu, Maenclochog, New Moat and latterly Clunderwen. Tributes to Clr. Thomas - the 'Father of the Council' (the oldest member) - were led by the leader of Pembrokeshire County Council, Clr. John Davies. He described him as one of local government's "greatest and most gracious servants." He went on: "It  was a privilege to work alongside an individual who knew all there was to know about local government and its people. "John's wit and humour would lighten up the darkest meeting, but he also possessed an unique quality of being able to size and measure his fellows to a remarkable degree. "I am grateful to have served my apprenticeship in local government in the shadow of a genial giant of artful wisdom. His passing will leave an immeasurable void within the chamber of Pembrokeshire County Council. Countless public bodies across Wales will be much the poorer for his passing." Clr. Thomas had also been a leading member of the former Dyfed County Council. He was a former chairman of the authority and also chaired several important committees. His colleague on Pembrokeshire County Council, Clr. Bill Hitchings - himself a former chairman - said Clr. Thomas would be remembered as a true gentlemen. He added: "When John was chairing a meeting, he possessed this remarkable ability to defuse a tense situation with a few well chosen words. After he had spoken there would be laughter whereas a few moments before, people had been at each other's throats." Clr. Thomas was also a member of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority and was chairman of the Welsh Language company, Iaith Cyf. He served on the Welsh Joint Education Committee and was life president of the Clunderwen Farmers' Co-operative. He was particularly proud of the fact that he had been appointed to the White Robe Order of the Gorsedd of Bards and chaired the National Eisteddfod of Wales local committee when the Eisteddfod visited St. Davids in 2002. He was also chairman of governors of Ysgol Preseli in Crymych. To mark Clr. Thomas's death, flags outside County Hall, Haverfordwest, were flown at half-mast. Clr. Thomas leaves a wife, Olwen, and a son, Andrew, as well as a daughter-in-law, Kath, and grandsons Rhys and Iestyn. The funeral will take place tomorrow (Saturday) with a service at 11 am at Blaenconin Chapel, Llandissilio, followed by a private service for family members only at Parc Gwyn Crematorium, Narberth, at 12.15. There are immediate family flowers only, but, if desired, donations for cancer charities may be sent to Ken Davies, Funeral Directors, Blaenwern, Clunderwen.