Senior figure in Clyde shipbuilding
Born: December 29, 1923;
Died: August 15, 2017
JAMES Muldrew, known as Jimmie, who has died of cancer aged 93, was a kenspeckle figure in the Glasgow area and in the west of Scotland and a senior figure in Clyde Shipbuilding, working with two of the biggest names John Browns and Barclay Curle.
He was born in Partick, the first of four sons to James and Jessie Muldrew. His mother was a McLean from North Uist and while Jimmie was born in Glasgow he was proud of and never forgot his roots in gaeldom.
Educated at primary and secondary schools in the Kelvinhaugh area of the city, he served his apprenticeship as a carpenter/joiner with Barr and Strouds in Anniesland during the Second World War. He studied at night school and obtained national qualifications in carpentry, joinery and building construction. This led to teaching those skills part time at various educational establishments in Glasgow. He was a natural leader and a man of considerable compassion for the wellbeing and welfare of others.
His career path then led him to work for John Browns and Barclay Curle. He was appointed director of joinery at Barclay Curle and it is interesting to note that during his first year in the post the turnover increased considerably. When those yards disappeared with the formation of the Upper Clyde Shipyard he became marketing director to Hugh Leggat & Co Barrhead. He was very successful with them until he was headhunted by Brian Aitken of BJK Aitken Builders, Kelvinhaugh, Glasgow. This again proved a successful move and he remained with them until eventually retiring aged 73 years.
Jimmie Muldrew was a very caring individual and was involved in a number of charitable service organisations providing support and assistance and indeed guidance to others.
Among the many organisations he was heavily involved with, he was past master of Lodge Thistle and Crown. He travelled extensively in America conferring degrees and attending installations. He was also a founder member, past president and honorary member of the Barrhead Rotary Club, a life member and past captain of Milngavie Golf Club, and a member of Kelvin Probus Club. He was also an executive member of the Dumbarton Golf Union and for his services to the game of golf was inducted as a life member of the Scottish Golf Union.
He was an active member of Temple Anniesland Church of Scotland and in his youth he was a member of the 227 Glasgow Boys brigade, both the Life Boys and the Company Section.
Despite the pressures of business and his extremely busy life, away from the commercial world his family unit was the centre of his universe. He was devoted to his wife Betty, daughter Elaine and his granddaughters Jessie and Eilidh.
During his retirement from business, but not his charitable work, he and Betty found the time to travel extensively. They enjoyed holidays in France, Spain and Portugal, especially golf in the Algarve. They crossed the Atlantic on 17 occasions to visit Elaine and her family in Vancouver, Canada.
The Rotary International motto of "service above self" could have been penned for Jimmie Muldrew. He was a force for good in a troubled and at times difficult world. He will be sorely missed by many but obviously by those closest to him.
He died in the wonderful care of the staff of the St Margaret's of Scotland Hospice. He is survived by his wife of 68 years Betty, daughter Elaine and his grandchildren Jessie and Eilidh. Also surviving him are his brothers Joe and Alistair. A third brother Johnnie died a number of years ago.#
DAN EDGAR
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