Around 400 people turned out for a celebration funeral service held at Kirkby Stephen Methodist Church to mark the passing of former local businessman John Stanley Davis, aged 86.
A true north country character, Stan, as he was invariably known, was renowned for his convivial nature, ready smile and love of lively banter, generally with some colourful tales thrown in.
Stan was born on a small farm at Hardendale, near Shap, his parents being the late William and Bertha Davis. He had three older brothers, Ronnie, Jimmy and Leslie.
The family were on the move soon after Stan’s arrival, initially to spend a short time at Wythwaite, near Kirkland. Then, in 1942, they moved again to Park House, Long Marton, where some members of the family still live.
Stan always enjoyed returning to Park House over the years to keep an eye on developments, including a new wedding barn built there.
In the late 1940s the family were joined by Stan’s adopted sister, Marjorie.
Stan went to school at Long Marton and Appleby. After completing his education, he started working at a nearby farm, Croft Ends, for Eddie Bellas.
He continued to be employed there until a bad back forced him to give up farm work. He instead went to work for Sam Symmonds, a local agricultural merchant.
It was in 1962 that Stan married Jean Tarn, from Nateby, with the couple setting up home at Prospect House, Winton, where they lived for many years and raised their family. They had three children, Tim, Gillian and Richard.
It was around the time of his marriage that Stan also bought a van and set up his own agricultural merchant’s business, which traded for many years from the premises in Winton. He also expanded into the construction of farm buildings, many of which are still in use today.
While living in Winton, Stan and Jean always played an active part in the life of the community.
However, in 2000 the couple retired and set up home at High Street, Kirkby Stephen. They celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2022. Away from work, Stan had many interests in life, one of the main ones being farming.
He loved to attend livestock auction sales and would never miss the weekly sale of prime sheep at Kirkby Stephen mart until his health failed towards the end of last year.
He also enjoyed agricultural shows, including the famous one for Swaledale sheep held each May at Tan Hill, which he continued to attend long after his retirement. After two years of absence due to the pandemic, he was keen to attend once again in 2022.
He had many friends in the farming community from all parts of the country. Always a keen gardener, Stan was often to be seen at his allotment at Toaves Allotment Gardens, Kirkby Stephen, dishing out growing tips to his fellow horticulturalists.
He even made an appearance on the Good Morning Britain television show a few years ago as the local “tattie expert” for Yorksire Shepherdess Amanda Owen. His family used to say that he grew enough vegetables to feed half of Kirkby Stephen.
The masonic movement was another important part of Stan’s life and he was very proud in 2021 when he celebrated 50 years as a member of his local lodge.
In his later years he was often to be found making wooden stools and shepherds’ crooks in his workshop.
Stan also had musical ability and enjoyed playing the accordion and organ. Social occasions were also enlivened by his keen sense of humour — which remained with him into his later years — and ability to tell amusing tall tales.
A colourful character, he will be greatly missed by many people.
He is survived by his wife Jean and their children Tim, Gillian and Richard. He had six grandchildren. Glyn Jones and Son Funeral Directors, Appleby, had charge of the arrangements.
