Rev John (Jack) Hastings

Millar; born April 18, 1921, died June 30, 1999

ReV Jack Millar, who has died at the age of 78, was much

loved and respected by Church of Scotland congregations throughout Fife, in particular, and Scotland, in general.

Regarded as a ''very human and humorous'' person, he also touched the lives of many through his work as Scottish padre to the organisation Toc-H. And to hundreds of school

children in Fife, he was the

minister who taught religious education in a bright and interesting way.

Summing up the many qualities of his close friend of almost 25 years, Rev Sam McNaught, of Kirkcaldy's St John's Church, said: ''He was a very human man who got on with everyone

. . . a man anyone could talk to and who would help them in any way he could.

''He was also a very Christian man and, to me, a splendid example of what the Ministry should be.''

Born in Ayrshire in 1921,

Jack was the youngest of a

family of six.

Educated at Ayr Academy, he went on to study at Glasgow University and Trinity College, and was ordained as assistant

at Govan Old Parish Church

in 1946.

He was later appointed minister of Crichton West Church, Old Cumnock, but while acting as chaplain to three schools, he decided he could best serve his calling by teaching religious education to youngsters.

A move to Fife followed and he taught at Glenrothes High School and the town's Glenwood High School before being appointed principal teacher of religious education at Kirkcaldy High School in 1974 until his retiral in 1986.

While a teacher, Mr Millar also preached from virtually every pulpit in Kirkcaldy

Presbytery when ministers

were on holiday or ill, includ-ing Methilhill and Denbeath Church, where he spent more than two years.

An active member of the congregation of Kirkcaldy's St John's Church with his wife, Elizabeth, and also a chorister, he often led the service.

''Jack, who was covering for other ministers until last year, will be very sadly missed,'' said Mr McNaught, adding: ''His death will leave a great gap in the life of our congregation and the community at large.''

Mr Millar, who lived in

Glenrothes, is survived by his widow, Elizabeth.