'˜Heartbreak' as dad dies days before Christmas

James Krejzl, who died 10 days after being diagnosed with an agressive form of leukemia, with his son Ethan

The sudden loss of James Krejzl, 36, has left his 10-year-old son Ethan facing Christmas without his dad.

James went to see his doctor after enduring stomach pains but tests later showed the tattoo artist’s liver and kidneys were failing, and he was suffering from plasma cell leukaemia.

He had run the Sakura Body Art tattoo parlour in St Alban’s Road, St Annes, with his former partner Tracy Evans, who is Ethan’s mum.

James died on December 6 at Blackpool Victoria Hospital after being admitted on November 25.

Tracy said: “It was absolutely heartbreaking for Ethan when we had to tell him his dad had died.

“His whole world fell apart.”

“James had complained of stomach pains and his doctor sent him for tests but they couldn’t determine what was wrong with him.

“He was then taken ill and went into hospital where they found his liver and kidneys were failing and he had plasma cell leukemia.

“Because they couldn’t stabilise his liver and kidneys, they couldn’t give treatment to him and his condition deteriorated in the space of 10 days.

“He had the opportunity to say goodbye to his son at the end.

“Ethan has a lot of really special memories of his dad.

“They would go walking together and did DJ-mixing together.

“I don’t think it matters what time of year something like this happens, but it has amplified it by being near Christmas.”

James was originally from Essex but had lived in St Annes for 12 years.

He was also a DJ and musician and had played at a few festivals in recent years.

Although he and Tracy had split up a year ago, they remained close, working together and caring for their son.

Tracy said: “He was a caring soul and if you were his friend, he would do anything to help you out.

“He was a firm believer that everyone was equal.

“Everyone has been shocked at his death, and some people did not even know he had gone into hospital.”

Tracy has set up a gofundme page online in order to pay for James’s funeral which will be held on Wednesday December 20 at 12.30pm at Lytham Crematorium.

She added: “We have been overwhelmed by the response from people.

“We would all like to say goodbye and show our final respects and if we all come together we can make this very sad day as beautiful as possible for Ethan and hopefully show him just how much his dad was cared about by so many people.”