John Golder grew up in Stevenston, Ayrshire, where his father managed ICI's Ardeer site. In time, John succeeded to this job.
John Golder grew up in Stevenston, Ayrshire, where his father managed ICI's Ardeer site. In time, John succeeded to this job.
Educated at Glasgow High School, he went on to do an engineering course at what is now Strathclyde University.
At the advent of war, John volunteered on hearing of the LDV (predecessor to the Home Guard) before the local police were even aware volunteers were being sought.
A little local difficulty with a natural philosophy course at university was followed by conscription into the Army. After basic training, he was appropriately commissioned into the REME.
John had mechanical bent and ability: he could turn his hand to almost anything.
Army service, largely spent in the Middle East, meant maintenance of tanks and many other vehicles.
A born officer who in civilian life continued to show responsibility, initiative, imagination and enterprise, with a no-nonsense approach, John was content with a captaincy.
Returning to civilian life, completing his formal education, John joined ICI to which he gave life-long service. It was perhaps in extracurricular duties and interests that John made the most distinctive mark.
Happily married to Doreen, herself notable for her abilities and her leadership in the Scottish Rock Garden Club, John was a "voluntary" gardener and general dogsbody - commenting that army life taught you, in marriage, to do as you were told. He was to nurse Doreen over 10 years until her death.
John was very much a countryman who shot and fished and curled: serving as secretary and treasurer of Dalry Union Curling Club for 40 years; vice-president for 36 years of Blair Gymkhana (a novice equestrian event that raised thousands of pounds for riding for the disabled, Erskine Hospital, Ayrshire Hospice and others).
After retiring, in 1979, around the family home at Maulside, Dalry, he planted trees, established a wetland area to encourage wildlife and kept sheep.
Perhaps his chief occupation in retirement was that of voluntary organiser in Scotland for Remap, the charity that, with panels of experts all over the country, seeks to provide special aids for people with disabilities.
In robust health (until the last few months of his life) and with an appearance that belied his years, this took John all over the country servicing the panels, and down to London where he secured financial independence for the Scottish arm.
A man of principles and thorn in the flesh to those whom he deemed suspect of such, John was a committed Christian.
Ordained an elder in 1977, he served for many years as a most able and active fabric convener of St Margaret's Parish Church, Dalry, where a huge congregation at his funeral attested to the regard in which he was held.
John lived life abundantly to the end.
He leaves behind a daughter and three sons.
