A much-respected community figure in Angus and the Mearns has died peacefully at home, aged 79.
David Simpson, best known by his middle name Clark, lived in Johnshaven all his life and supported a large number of community causes, for which he was made an MBE in 2000.
Mr Simpson was born on November 20 1935 and went into teaching in 1967 at Inverbervie. He was head of history at Mackie Academy in Stonehaven in the 1990s.
A keen sportsman, Mr Simpson was also a football correspondent for The Courier and penned a column for the Mearns Leader newspaper for more than 30 years.
Chief among Mr Simpson’s passions in the community was the development of Wairds Park.
He was its committee chairman for 32 years from 1972 to 2004, when he was given “freedom of the park” although family say he “still paid to get on the putting”.
He was the village hall chairman for 20 years, overseeing its final refurbishment in 1975; a church elder for 38 years; a past Master of Lodge St John 119, and a former chairman of the district’s community council.
Mr Simpson, right, was given a “local hero” award in 1997.
He is survived by his wife Sheila, sons David and Craig and grandchildren Grant, Ross and Anna.
A funeral service will take place at Johnshaven Church on Wednesday at 2pm, thereafter to the village cemetery.