Six months after receiving the Order of Jamaica, former Minister of Agriculture, Keble Munn, died yesterday at the Tony Thwaites Wing, University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew.

Munn, 88, died of complications arising from a stroke.

He served as minister of national security and minister of agriculture from 1959 to 1962.

Then, again, from 1972 to 1980 he served in the same capacities and was leader of the House of Representatives.

He retired from active politics in 1980 after serving the People's National Party for about 24 years.

Munn was owner and managing director of Mavis Bank Central Factory.

Senator Norman Grant, managing director and chief executive officer of Mavis Bank Coffee Factory, said Munn is credited with being the first person to directly export the premium bean to the Japanese market in March 1953.

Dedicated member

PNP President Portia Simpson Miller said Munn was a dedicated, committed member of the party who served the country with distinction in many capacities.

Prime Minister Golding described Munn, who was engaged in farming for most of his life, as a passionate advocate for small farmers.

Munn first entered representational politics in 1956, serving as a councillor and then later as deputy mayor of Kingston.

He served as member of parliament for East Rural St Andrew for two terms from 1959 to 1967 before shifting to South East St Andrew where he served as MP from 1967 to 1976 and then as MP for Eastern St Andrew from 1976 to 1980.

He also served in the Canadian army for more than four years.

He is survived by his wife, Yvonne and children Gwyneth, Gordon, Leiza and Jodi.