John McMeekin 1932 - 2012

This is my dear brother-in-law Jock who died earlier this year just a few weeks short of his 80th birthday.

He was born in Glengyron Row where the family lived until 1939 when they moved down to Cumnock.

On leaving school he served in the army in Malaya and Singapore and carried some photos from that time in his wallet. He never went abroad again!

He married Margaret on 6th June 1952 when they were both 20 and they went on to have 8 children.

He was a skilled bricklayer and generally very good with his hands.  

with his mother Bel circa 1980

For a while he drove a baker's van and his wee brother was his van boy. David recalls how well he dealt with his customers.

He was a wonderful family man investing in a minibus for outings. The family grew as the children married and gave him 19 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. The family home was never empty for long.  However they were chased home on Sunday evening as that was the night he and Margaret would head for the Juniors Club for some R and R.

The annual family bash on the 2nd January was legendary. Jock would sit in his armchair like the ayatollah as food and drink were delivered to him. He would dispense balloons and pennies and hugs and kisses to the wee ones. He was a truly lovely man and had time for everyone.