John Ferguson was born on October 21, 1929 (Trafalgar Day) and died on April 23, 2001 (St George's Day).

He was born at Haworth, where he attended the local school and was a choir boy at the parish church.

He came from farming stock and his family was also well-known for dealing in horses and later in motor vehicles.

John went into the army, where he became a Staff Sergeant, and at the age of 21 he was recalled to serve in the Korean War, where he was taken as a prisoner of war for 17 months.

This experience affected his entire life and he never forgot the comrades with whom he served.

On his return to Keighley John carried on the family tradition by valuing, buying and selling cars, motor caravans and American motor homes. He married his first wife, Betty, who sadly died some years later.

He was a renowned and respected local character who stood every week at the old Skipton Cattle Market, selling Audi and Volkswagen vehicles for Junction Garage, Cross Hills.

He also worked at Wellington Garage, Keighley, at Snaygill Service Station, for JCT 600 at the premises of Owd Bill Motors, Skipton, and for several other garages in the Skipton area.

He was a gifted and keen sportsman and particularly enjoyed swimming, playing rugby, cricket and golf at Keighley Golf Club, where he was a member for some time.

In his younger days he was a well-known heavyweight wrestler and fought in tag matches with the likes of Big Daddy, Les Kellett, Alan Dennison and Billy Two Rivers.

John had also been a long-distance lorry driver for Chris Metcalfe, a default and repossession officer for Hodge Finance, a 'bouncer' at local dance halls and a night security officer when Peter Clarke's new premises opened on Keighley Road, Skipton.

He brought great joy to many people with his big-hearted generosity, and provided donations to many local causes, such as the Salvation Army, as well as giving soft toys and raffle prizes to the Physiotherapy Department and children's ward at Airedale Hospital and St James's Hospital, Leeds.

He will be remembered for helping South Craven School to exchange their ageing 'green goddess' bus for a modern mini-bus, but he will be particularly remembered for his gift of three donkeys to Glusburn Primary School in the 1980s, and for his care for the children at the school who helped to look after the donkeys.

He will undoubtedly be remembered as a great character with a gift for telling stories, a man who could bring a room to life with his fund of tales and a man who could sell you something you never even knew you wanted.

In the latter part of his life he suffered from ill-health and, although he had very regular spells in Airedale Hospital, he remained cheerful throughout a long illness which he fought with his customary courage.

He died suddenly, but peacefully, with his second wife, Hazel, at his bedside and he was buried at St Peter's Church, Addingham, on May 1.

By his widow

Hazel Ferguson