John Hendrie

Despite the traumas of vascular dementia for the past four years, he never lost his sense of humour and quietly succumbed to Covid-19 at the end of April 2020.

John was born at home at Purroch Farm, Hurlford, the eldest child of John and Jean Hendrie. He was one of three boys and together with his brothers, Jimmy and Robert, and cousin John, he would go on to carry on one of the most successful family livestock business partnerships on the West Coast, namely Hendrie Brothers, of Galston.

After attending Crossroads Primary, Cambusdoon, Ayr, then Glaisnock, Cumnock, he left school and went straight to work for the family business. John was always proud of the achievements of Hendrie Brothers and enjoyed working in the partnership, which would successfully continue into the next generation with his two nephews, Wallace and James.

He travelled all over the country in the cattle lorry to markets and farms, and enjoyed the craic wherever he went. John was a committed and knowledgeable farmer and he was at the forefront of the day-to-day running of the family' farms.

His favourite saying was 'early to bed early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.' It was a phrase that he lived by his whole life and encouraged others to do so too!

He was a keen member of Crossroads YFC for many years and it was through the club that he met his wife, Nancy Richmond, while attending Allisons’ Dance School, in Kilmarnock, with the young farmers. They married on October 17, 1963, in Mauchline North Church and then to a reception at Western House, Ayr, where they celebrated their Golden Wedding in 2013.

He was immensely proud of his two daughters, Kathryn and Sheila, and encouraged their love of horses. He enjoyed taking them to horse shows and supporting them in their competitions. As vice-president of Newmilns Show committee for many years, he was actively involved in bringing affiliated show jumping to the show.

John was an active member of Ayrshire Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club being one of its earliest members, encouraged by his uncle and founder member, John Caldwell. He liked nothing better than helping organise the annual rally and road run.

He had a large collection of vintage tractors which he sourced from all over the UK and he loved nothing better than finding a much sought after tractor in poor condition that he could renovate and bring back to its former glory.

His first venture into vintage machinery was a Thornycroft lorry which he renovated and painted in the Hendrie Brothers well-known grey and red livery. It was the Thornycroft that kicked of John's TV career when he and the lorry appeared in the well known TV programme 'Parahandy'.

But his pride and joy was a 1940s Series 1 Marshall tractor, but all of his vintage tractors were his babies. He was particularly proud of a Canadian imported Fordson F for which he imported a Sherbourne plough to go with it.

Like most farmers, John enjoyed finding out how people farm at home and abroad he travelled to Canada, New Zealand, Austria and Portugal on farm tours with Nancy. He also attended vintage rallies in the US.

In the past four years, John was well looked after by the staff at Crossgates Care Home, Kilmarnock. He had a steady stream of visitors, to whom he and his family were grateful.

He never stopped being 'just John' to everyone who knew him. A dedicated farmer, a straight-talking businessman, a man committed to whatever he took on and a great father brother uncle and friend to all who knew him.

John is survived by his wife Nancy, daughters Kathryn and Sheila, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.