Tributes have been paid to James Murray, the longest serving member of Cumnock Community Council and much-loved union man, who has died at the age of 103.

James was born on March 21, 1918 in Skares. His parents were John and Annabella Murray and he was the seventh of 12 children.

Like his father, he worked in coal mining and later became a union official. Jimmy was married to Nancy Murray and has a daughter, Marie and a grandson, Chris. He passed away on Thursday, July 22.

Speaking to the Chronicle, Marie described how one of the most important aspects of her father’s life was “being part of the community, helping people as much as he could”.

She said: “He had to leave school at quite an early age which all of them had to do. They didn’t have a lot of money but had a lot of mouths to feed so as soon as they were old enough, the boys were sent down the pits.

“My dad was a very strong Labour and union man. He joined the miners union and became union official. He became a delegate then rose to an executive position in the miners union and did lots of things for different people. That was one his strengths, helping people with various compensation claims. He was always filling out forms for people, that was the sort of person he was. He loved his community and did what he could.

Cumnock Chronicle:

“As he got older and retired, that’s when he joined the Cumnock Community Council and various other committees. I found out from other people in the community that knew him really well how much he did for people. He kept his life quite busy after he retired. He had a full life with doing things in the community. He was treasurer of some things, chairman of others.”

She continued: “After my mother died, he was left completely on his own but he wasn’t lonely, he always had people in the house or he was visiting other people. He was a very busy man and that carried on until he became ill. Even then, he was still doing things into his 90s. His health gradually deteriorated but he kept on going to meetings and joining in with the church.

“He had marvellous knowledge about trade union movements and the mining union. Everyone turned to dad for advice about things like that, they’d say, we’ll ask Jim Murray. That was his life.

“As a hobby, dad loved to play the game of Quoits as did many miners throughout their working lives. He was a champion player, winning several cups and other awards and people would bet money on him to win.”

She added: “He was a wonderful husband, dad and grandpa and he will be in our hearts and thoughts forever.”