Former Forfar fire chief John King, who gave almost 30 years of retained service to the community, has died aged 80.
Originally from Perthshire, having been brought up on Moncrieffe Estate at Bridge of Earn, Mr King completed national service with the REME before pursuing his career as an auto electrician.
He worked with firms in Perth prior to moving to Forfar in 1963 as an electrical engineer with town firm Reekies, before setting up his own auto electrical business on Queenswell Road, which he ran until retiring in the early 1990s.
Mr King joined the former Forfar Fire Brigade in 1963 and was appointed a leading fireman in 1976, sub-officer two years’ later and then station officer in 1986 until his retiral after 27 years.
In that time Mr King attended more than 4,000 call-outs. His son, Roy, followed him into the service and is watch manager at the Strang Street station. having also completed more than 25 years as a firefighter.
His dedication to the retained station saw Mr King involved in many major fires and tragedies including serious road accidents, but he also encountered more light-hearted incidents including encountering a five-foot long python at a house blaze.
In another incident an angry bull threw him into a trough of red paint, leading concerned colleagues to believe he was wearing a blood-soaked uniform when he staggered towards them.
Around seven years ago Mr King and his long-time partner Maxine moved from Forfar to Andros in Greece, but last year returned to Angus.
He had been due to attend a reunion of Forfar station managers but sadly passed away on Friday just a few days ahead of the gathering.
Mr King is survived by Maxine, sons Alan, Roy and Brian and four grandchildren.
His funeral service takes place at Parkgrove Crematorium, Friockheim, Tuesday at 3.30pm with a collection in support of pulmonary fibrosis research and the Fire Service Benevolent Fund.